The Beach Boys reveal they had two 'different groups' in the 60s
They joined Richard Allinson on Greatest Hits Radio
Greatest Hits Radio's Richard Allinson caught up with founding member of The Beach Boys Mike Love, and long-standing member Bruce Johnston, in the week that the band's new documentary on Disney+ has been released.
Speaking to Richard, the duo spoke about the creation of the band, and how Bruce saw them rise to fame, while working for Columbia Records, eventually becoming a full-time member of the band a few years later.
"It (Columbia Records job) kind of inadvertently prepared me to kind of accidentally spend three days in the band," explained Bruce.
"I thought that was a one-shot, as I replaced Glen Campbell, replacing Brian (Wilson). But I was kind of ready, and I was a sponge once Carl (Wilson) started showing me the vocal parts. I learned how to play all the songs on bass, and I kind of fit in, and then right after that Brian asked me to come to the studio because he had all these tracks prepared."
Mike also revealed how due to the amount of songs they were expected to release, there were essentially two Beach Boys groups, one touring, while they other wrote their songs. He explained: "We didn't even anticipate that we would be working on an album every month of every year.
"And that lead to Brian wanting to retire from the touring group, so he could spend time doing the production, the writing, arrangement and composing of the songs and stuff. And working with the best musicians in Hollywood.
"They called them the wrecking crew, to do the tracks, while Bruce and I were out there on tour... touring. So there were effectively two different groups"
Bruce added: "This sped the process up now, because Brian didn't have to wait for the guys to come home to be (on) the track, you know he could get going the wrecking crew, the most incredible musicians ever, and they could read (music), and Brian could write parts out, so he could do it faster. It wasn't about the speed, it was probably just Brian excited about getting it done.
"Then we came home, these tracks are prepared, it was fantastic!"
Throughout their seven decades in the music business, The Beach Boys have had many iconic hits such as, 'I Get Around', 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' and 'Good Vibrations', and they are still touring today.
The band are currently touring the US, and gave a long list of songs fans can expect them to perform. "'Surfin' Safari', 'Surfin' USA', 'I Get Around', 'Fun, Fun Fun', 'California Girls'," Mike said, before adding: "'Be True To Your School', 'In My Room', 'Surfer Girl'..."
When were The Beach Boys on Greatest Hits Radio?
The Beach Boys joined Richard Allinson on Greatest Hits Radio on Sunday 26th May at 4pm, you can listen again through the app or on this website.
Take a look through music documentaries and where to watch them:
Pet Shop Boys: Then and Now (iPlayer)
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Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story (Disney+)
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"We relinquished all control to the director, which, if you're going to do it, we felt that it should be just to speaking the whole truth. Each of our individual truths, really, and then not to sanitise it to your point."
Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible
Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible is a feature-length film which includes interviews with the likes of Bob Geldof, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie, Depeche Mode's Dave Gahan, The Specials' Jerry Dammers, and Texas' Sharleen Spiteri, along with Manic Street Preachers' James Dean Bradfield, writer Irvine Welsh, actress Molly Ringwald and many album producers.
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band (Disney+)
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The Beatles: Let It Be (Disney+)
This documentary film starring The Beatles was first released in May 1970, in the middle of the band's break-up, but has now been re-released after being restored, on Disney+. The film follows the band as they record songs and rehearse for their last album 'Let It Be'.
WHAM! (Netflix)
From Chris Smith, the director behind the infamous Fyre Fest documentary, fans get the chance to follow Wham! from their early beginnings to the height of their success. The documentary includes footage from George and Andrew's personal archives such as never-before-seen footage, and previously unheard interviews.
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese (Netflix)
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese is described as 'Part documentary, part concert film, part fever dream', by Netflix. The film captures America in the autumn of 1975, and the music that Bob Dylan performs during that time.
Dolly Parton: Here I Am (iPlayer)
Dolly Parton: Here I Am is a documentary following the country singer from her humble beginnings, up to her present global success. The film includes archive footage and interviews with Dolly herself, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
What Happened, Miss Simone? (Netflix)
What Happened, Miss Simone? is a documentary from director Liz Garbus, who weaves together never-before-heard recordings and rare archival footage of the iconic singer, along with many of her well-known tracks.
Amy (Channel4, Apple TV, Prime Video)
Amy is an Oscar-winning documentary about the late singer, who died at the age of just 27. Amy uses extensive archive footage, along with personal videos to delve into the singer, behind the famous face fans knew. Starting in the early years, and following her as she makes her big break into the music industry.
Whitney (Prime Video)
Whitney is a documentary film featuring exclusive performances and footage of the singer known for her hits such as 'I'm Every Woman' and 'I Will Always Love You'. The film had its world premiere as part of the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, with a cinema release soon after. And was nominated at the 61st Grammy Awards for Best Music Film.
The Beach Boys (Disney+)
Including never-before-seen footage and new interviews, The Beach Boys is a brand new documentary available now on Disney+. The documentary follows the band from their humble beginnings to their worldwide success.
Becoming Led Zeppelin (Cinemas)
The long-gestating Led Zeppelin documentary film Becoming Led Zeppelin is finally set to hit cinema screens, however a date has not yet been announced.
The officially-authorised Becoming Led Zeppelin documentary traces the formation and early years of the fabled rock British band.
Cyndi Lauper's Let The Canary Sing (Paramount+)
Streaming platform Paramount+ have released a brand new feature-length documentary to celebrate the remarkable life and career of American singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper. The documentary arrived on Wednesday 5th June, taking the audience on an engaging exploration of a renowned and pioneering artist who has left a remarkable legacy with her art.
Before We Was We: Madness by Madness (ITVX)
Before We Was We: Madness by Madness was added to ITVX on 20th June 2024. The documentary follows the band as they started out from their humble beginnings, before becoming for hits such as. 'Baggy Trousers' and 'One Step Beyond'.
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