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Brian Wilson founded the Beach Boys in 1961 and was the bands leader, main composer and producer. The other founding members were: Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine. In early 1962, Al Jardine left the Beach Boys and was replaced by David Marks. Al Jardine returned to the band in August 1963 and David Marks left around the same time. In late 1964, Brian Wilson quit touring and after a short touring stint by Glen Campbell, Bruce Johnston joined the band and would stay until 1972 when he quit. In 1971 The Beach Boys was augmented with the addition of Blondie Chaplin and Rick Fataar. Chaplin left The Beach Boys in 1973 and this was soon followed by the departure of Ricky Fataar in the spring of 1975. 1978 saw the return of Bruce Johnston for the completion of the L.A.(Light album) and in 1983, Dennis Wilson tragically drowned.
In 1988 Brian Wilson released his first solo album, and was effectively no longer a member of the band. In 1998 Carl Wilson died of cancer. In 1997, David Marks made a brief return as a member of The Beach Boys touring band, but left again in 1999. Today, the surviving members of the founding Beach Boys are doing there own thing: Brian Wilson (with his band) has pursued a successful solo career since 1998. Al Jardine tours and performs with his son and Brian Wilson’s daughters and has recently toured with Brian Wilson, while Mike Love still tours extensively with The Beach Boys touring band (along with Bruce Johnston)

Profile:

Bruce Johnston was an adopted child whose new father moved from Chicago to take over the presidency of a large pharmaceutical company in Los Angeles. On leaving school he was already a fine pianist and played in a number of start-up bands. Bruce Johnston’s music career pre-dates The Beach Boys by a number of years. He started recording as early as 1959 and before joining The Beach Boys, had already release two solo albums: Surfer’s Pyjama Party (live recording, released in June 1963) and Surfin’ ‘Round The World (August 1963) He also turned his hand to record production and with his friend the late Terry Melcher (son of Doris Day), was responsible for the Rip Chords’ million selling ‘Hey Little Cobra’. Essentially a studio band, The Rip Chords released two albums: Hey Little Cobra (February 1964) and Three Window Coupe (July 1964).
When Brian Wilson was searching for someone to replace his own temporary stand-in for live performances Glen Campbell, he asked Bruce who would be suitable. Bruce could not identify anyone suitable who was available, so offered his own services. In the space of a few days he had learned to play the bass guitar and set out on his career as a Beach Boy (officially on the 9th of April, 1965) . His first contribution in the recording studio for Brian was on California Girls where he can clearly be heard in the chorus. Another notable vocal highlight was on the tag of God Only Knows with Brian. Bruce took it upon himself to promote the Pet Sounds album extensively in The UK introducing it to a select assembly of British Rock stars including John Lennon and Paul McCartney who were mightily impressed with the ground breaking recording. While with The Beach Boys, Bruce Johnston composed the instrumental track The Nearest Faraway Place for the 1969 20/20 album, Deirdre & Tears In The Morning for the 1970 Sunflower album, and ‘Disney Girls 1957’ for the 1971 Surf’s Up album.
In 1972 Bruce decided to pursue a career on his own and although having left the group, continued to guest on every Beach Boys album bar M.I.U. The crowning achievement of his solo career was his 1975 composition I Write The Songs (allegedly about Brian Wilson) recorded by Barry Manilow (and many others), and which earned him a ‘best song’ Grammy. In 1977 he released the solo album entitled Going Public and with the late Curt Becher produced the album Checkpoint for the band Sailor. A talented composer, musician and producer in his own right, Bruce Johnston has worked with Elton John, Pink Floyd, America, David Cassidy and many other well known musicians and bands.
Asked by Brian Wilson to return to the Beach Boys in 1978, Bruce Johnston remains part of the touring Beach Boys with Mike Love.

Bruce Johnston highlights:

Disney Girls 1957, I Write The Songs, Tears In The Morning

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