Beach Boys Britain

Finally, the worst-kept secret of the rock world is officially out - in mid-December it was announced that The Beach Boys will reunite for a 50-date tour in 2012 to mark their 50th anniversary. Kicking off in late April in New Orleans, Brian, Mike, Alan, Bruce and David will tour the US and the rest of the world, accompanied by most of Brian's band and Scott Totten & John Cowsill from Mike & Bruce's band (making for about 16 bodies on stage). While the complete schedule is yet to be announced, confirmed dates are (aside from the opening show), two August dates in Germany. Other semi-official dates are Japan in August (three shows), a summer date in Ocean City, Maryland and (according to Brian) some UK dates. The band will also appear at the Grammy Awards ceremony in February. 

The 50th anniversary summer will also see the release of not only a new career-spanning box set, a new compilation and other as yet unnamed archival projects, but also the first new Beach Boys studio album since 1992's "Summer In Paradise". Sessions for the untitled album, which will contain new Wilson/Love tracks and an already leaked re-recording of "Do It Again", have been underway since late last year. The full press release concerning the 50th anniversary events can be found here: http://www.thebeachboys.com/reunion/index.html 

An outstanding preview of the 50th anniversary was the release of "The Smile Sessions", containing the original tapes from what is generally acknowledged to be the greatest unreleased album in rock music history. Issued in a 2CD, deluxe 5CD/2LP/2 singles box set and as a digital download, the project charted in the US at #27 and in the UK at #25 and garnered glowing reviews from the media. Somewhat overshadowed by the fuss surrounding "TSS" was the release of Brian's latest solo album, "In The Key Of Disney": a collection of covers of classic Disney movie songs from the 1930s to the present, it nonetheless managed to chart inside the Billboard Top 100 albums

Just in from Bob Mastin the Beach Boys New Years Eve Concert

For the second time in 4 months, I had the good fortune to see Mike, Bruce and family in concert. Last night's show was fun, fun, fun. (Not to be cliche', but it was!) Consider the fact that it was New Year's Eve and they were playing past midnight, throw in balloons and party favors.... a great time was had by all in attendance.

They threw in some unexpected songs (Summertime Blues and Little Old Lady From Pasadena and Getcha Back) but there were plenty of the famous and familiar(God Only Knows, Good Vibrations and plenty of surf and car tunes) It truly was a fun time and it was the 50th anniversary of the Beach Boys first live gig.(according to some one from the stage!)

I saw a young man get an autograph from Bruce during the show on his SMILE LP. It made me sad to think how woefully unprepared I was for the evening, not realizing the opportunity I too could've had. Although not from last night's show(which I did snap a few photos and 2 videos) here's a picture of Mike, from Thunder Valley, in July. I was seated in the front row and also caught a bottle of water that Bruce had thrown to me. Still have the bottle. Thanks for your timeBob Mastin, Roseville, Ca