214 US Pop Culture 1964 Part 8
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 มี.ค. 2024
- We've left most of this week's wrap-up of 1964 for the Beach Boys, who had a massively eventful fourth quarter. If you're looking for it, you can find a review of the 1964 year-end chart beginning around the eleven minute mark. Enjoy!
I bought an EP of "In Concert" from my local record store. I wasn't aware that an album existed at the time. But what I heard coming out of the speakers blew my mind and I immediately searched and bought the album. I hadn't experienced anything live before so at the time it really was the best thing I'd ever heard. I really enjoyed this episode, it captivates just how good the Beach Boys were in 1964. They managed to overcome what the UK threw at them while a lot of big US groups and solo artists went under. They became even better and more popular in 1965 and was then voted as the number one group in the world by the UK press in 1966. History's proved that The Beatles are the most popular and the most successful group ever, and I've always been a massive Beatles fan. But at this particular time in music history 1964/66 Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys were ahead in the race. "Smile?" if only.
Yeah... if only.
Thanks for reminding me of the UK "Concert" EP! I've seen photos of it, but I'm not sure I've ever actually seen a copy. Your comments also made me aware of how unusual "live" albums were in 1964, which would have made the experience of the album more unique and exciting. (Of course, there had been a few live "rock 'n' roll" albums, but certainly nothing like there would be in the '70s.) In any case, it was sure a great time to be a record buyer; with a constant flow of great new music coming from the Beach Boys, the Beatles (and some others.) If I'd been a teen at the time, I'm sure I'd have needed a raise in my allowance, or a part-time job, to keep up! Thanks, as always, for the great perspective and comments, John!
I genuinely believe if the Beach Boys had gone ahead and released "Smile" and
played the Manteray festival , there would be a different story tell today.
@@johnhammond1572 Definitely! With times changing so quickly, with the benefit of hindsight, I wonder what the optimal time for the release of "SMiLE" would have been. I wonder, if they had had it out before the end of '66, would it have seemed "too weird" or visionary? If they had released it after "Sgt. Pepper," in June '67, would they have been seen as "joining the scene" or "jumping on the bandwagon"? Maybe spring '67, after "Strawberry Fields Forever" and before "Pepper"? (Sorry to digress...there are SO many "what ifs" and "roads not taken" during this period!) Thanks for the thought-provoking feedback, John!
That Beach Boys in Concert book is a fantastic piece of pop history. Thanks for the great video!!!
Thanks, Usualmike! I've noticed that the tour books I've picked up at shows over the years tend to be more entertaining to look back at as time goes by. I suppose they often capture some slightly strange, goofy version of the times.
It must have been a great time to be a teenager in 1964 with so many positive changes both artistically and with fashion as in previous generations people simply followed whatever their parents had done and i think i am correct in saying that this was when the word " Teenager " was coined.
Like many of you i was very young at that time and by september 1964 i had moved up from infants school to primary school and i can remember how exciting everything was, especially with music with the charts buzzing with new blood and new sounds and a lot of choice where previously we were only limited by what the BBC Light Programme had to offer, but now we were right at the heart of pirate radio , which was now in full swing and this meant that at last, pop music could now be heard all day for the very first time in UK and teenagers could be seen with their Beatles Haircuts and sporting the latest fashions, which whatever you wore, Jeans seemed to be the choice of most as Teddy Boys gave way to Mods and Rockers and both had their own particular music to follow which led to a very competitive chart and i do remember that Roy Orbisons " Oh Pretty Woman " was huge at the end of the year and was probably his biggest No1 and he had a great promo film to accompany the record in the days way before video.
Looking back, i would say that this period was the start of the Swinging Sixties " and would continue right up to 1969 iwith both the Beatles and Beach Boys being very significant in changing music and trends on both sides of the pond and both enjoying healthy competition and there were plenty of other artists too from both sides, but it seems the see-saw was between Beatles and Beach Boys with the public being the winners.
1964 was politically unstable across the world and maybe thats why teenagers turned on, tuned in and dropped out , as music and fashion were now hip and groovy and politics was for squares.
Great observations and perspective, as always, Chris! I think the impact of the new music was magnified in the US by the Beatles "arriving" all at once in February, and already having recorded a pretty significant "back catalog" of great records that, in the US, were all "new" at the same time. I had considered doing part of this episode devoted to comparing the US record chart from the beginning of '64 to the end of '64. (#1 album at the beginning: "The Singing Nun." At the end" "Beach Boys Concert." #1 single "There! I've Said It Again" by Bobby Vinton. At the end: "I Feel Fine" by The Beatles.) I absolutely agree it must have been a GREAT time to be a teenager and life must have seemed a lot more colorful and exciting at the end of the year than it had at the beginning. Thanks again and have a great week, Chris!
Yes, it was a great time to be a teen (technically, I was on the cusp of it in '64.) Great summary of life in the UK, but I've come to not expect any less. The greatest instability in the US actually occurred in 1968.
@@burlingtonbill1 Ah yes i remember the problems in 1968 too Bill and things certainly did turn sour after the previous year ie, Summer of Love and it was the same here, but maybe a little further down the line with the troubles in Ireland, Industrial unrest and political problems, but at least the music was good.
Your research and presentation never cease to amaze me. Thanks for your great content, Steve!
Thanks, FinKaiser! Great to hear from you!
You do a great job gathering and presenting such detailed info - and with many of the items in what I guess is your personal collection - awesome. It's amazing how much product young artists pumped out back then.
Thanks, Caz! I definitely agree that the amount of work expected of young recording artists in those days was tremendous...even ridiculous. It seems record labels were willing to work them as hard as possible, undoubtedly, figuring that they'd only be able to sell "product" from them for a few years. (As we look back, sixty years on...Boy, were they wrong about that!) Great to hear from you, Caz, and thanks again!
That tour book was real neat. I belive Brain's portrait around 6:11 was used on a picture sleeve for Caroline, No in some country. Real cool to see the other guys in that style.
Thanks for letting me know about that! I had to look it up: Apparently, the Swedish picture sleeve used that illustration. I understand that EMI/Capitol used to allow the art directors in each territory to come up with their own picture sleeves. (Why the Swedes would have settled on an out-of-date illustration that really wasn't all that good in the first place remains a question!) I've made a note of this and hope to follow up in a future episode (with "props" to you for having let me know about it, of course.) Thanks again, Carrie!
I forgot that the Concert album had used studio tracks (in a barer form, single-tracked vocals, less instruments) in place of the live performances of Fun Fun Fun and I Get Around. BUT the original performances can be heard on "Live in Sacramento 1964" from 2013
Yes! I've wonder if they used some studio recordings for "Hawaii" as well. I've only heard "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "I Get Around" mentioned, but "Hawaii" is so "solid" it makes me think they might have done significant "sweetening" on it too. (I haven't done a real comparison to "Live In Sacramento 1964," so I could definitely be wrong.) Thanks for the feedback, John, and I'll be looking forward to your thoughts on "Concert" next week!
Excellent overview, Steve, of not only what the Beach Boys were up to, but other artists, trends, etc. during the last quarter of 1964! Interesting how the Beach Boys were described in the tour book you showed. Like the comments you made mentioning how some of the group's comments about themselves (particularly, Mike) sort of foreshadowed how he would be seen (By the group and public) in the future. "Dance, Dance, Dance" has been one of my favorite Beach Boys songs. Wish they had performed it more often in the coming years. Was going to add this to my comments for your Part 7, but from what you talked about in Part 8, this will fit in just as well. I'm sure you're aware of a TH-cam series called Yesterday's Papers, which has popular '60s artists commenting on popular songs during a specific time period in the 1960s. These were all done in the 1960s. Came across Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, commenting on the top hits (in Britain, in either the first or second half of September, 1964). The first song he listened to was the Beach Boys' "All Summer Long" (Which was apparently released as a single in Britain). Brian's comments on it were interesting. He thought it was either by the Beach Boys or the Trade Winds (because of the vocal harmonizing). When told it was the Beach Boys, he wasn't surprised. He thought the song's production sounded like Phil Spector. He didn't mind the song, but didn't think it was as good as "I Get Around". He also thought the lyrics were on the corny side! Have you seen this post by Yesterday's Papers? Surprised Elvis's soundtrack to Roustabout made it to number one. Like the movie and some of the songs (Own it on DVD).
Correction, Steve, the time frame for when Brian Jones was reviewing songs (Where the Beach Boys' "All Summer Long" is played) was during March, 1965. I also got wrong some of the things he said about the song (He said it sounded like a Brian Wilson production, then called Phil Spector a bad Producer!). Sorry about that, hope you can check out his reviews. BTY, Brian also reviews songs from September, 1964, but none are Beach Boys songs.
Thanks for letting me know about that episode of "Yesterday's Papers." I know the channel, but haven't seen that particular episode. It sounds really interesting! I don't come across that much with Brian Jones and "All Summer Long" would be particularly interesting to hear his thoughts on. I will check it out!
Definitely surprising that "Roustabout" went to #1! They must have timed it just right to hit a little gap between "Concert" and "Beatles '65" (though, I'm sure, RCA and Elvis' management were surprised too!) I do love the title track from "Roustabout" though!
Have a great week, Robert and thanks, as always, for the great info and feedback!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444Although I've already watched this, plan on watching again the Yesterday's Papers episode where George Harrison gives his reaction to Ray Davies of the Kinks reviewing the Beatles' Revolver album. What George says about the review should be interesting! For both you and your family, Steve, have a wonderful Easter!
@@robertzastrow4648 Thanks, Robert! Hope you and yours have a great Easter too!
It took me years later to find out it was Fred Vail who introduced the group to the audience, and his idea to have the Beach Boys release the Live Concert album. Excellent coverage as always Steve, continued success.
It was a nice touch for them to include Fred Vail's introduction, especially as the whole "Concert album" concept, as you point out, was his idea. Good to hear from you, Don!
I like, Steve, the changes to your voice as you read each band member’s quotes. I think you even got a little nasal on Mike Love.
I don't know if you ever watched my episode #15 "Endlessly Summer Dreamin'." It gave me an opportunity to work on my impressions of each of them (and Murry.) Mike is tough to actually sound like, so I just turn the "nasal" way up! (Not that I actually do any of them "well.") Great to hear from you, as always, Bill!
Great stuff as always Steve . A big year for our boys. I still have the In Concert & Christmas albums from 1975. Can only play the Christmas one! LOL the concert album pretty much trashed! The Christmas album one of my all time favorites! As mentioned in the last comments my mom had all those Dino albums! I still have the original pressing of Elvis “Roustabout”. I am in a very Elvis mood these past few months went back listening to a lot of albums and reread a lot of books. I am currently rereading volume 2 of the great Peter Guralnick Elvis books “Careless Love”. This one along with the great first one “Last Train To Memphis “ are the only two that are must reads! Have a great Easter !
As I mentioned in another response, "Concert" must be my "least played" Beach Boys album of the '60s. "Christmas" always gets at least one "spin" every December. Concert is fun when it's on, but it's not one that I often think of when I'm looking for Beach Boys to listen to. Cool that your Mom had the Dean Martin albums! Coincidentally, I had a Dean Martin mix on earlier this morning. (I'm researching "1957" at the moment, so that helped put me in the mood for it.) Thanks for the recommendations on Elvis books. I've read a few about his recording sessions and record releases, but never a "proper" bio. There are so many out there, it's good to know what the best ones are! (Nice, too, that you have an original "Roustabout." I LOVE the title track!) Thanks for the great comments, Mike! Always appreciated and enjoyed!
skee: My wife & I watched Am. Graffiti for maybe only the 2nd time ever, 2 nites ago, and I wondered: "Where's Elvis?" Here's the answer I found: "The reason [E.P. is conspicuosly ABSENT from the soundtrack] is money. To mitigate the cost of licensing so many songs, Universal offered a flat rate to all of the labels involved. Everyone went along with it except for RCA, which meant no Elvis. The kids in American Graffiti are therefore probably the only teenagers in America who could listen to the radio all night in 1962 and never hear an Elvis song." --Mental Floss
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 I'm staggered -- I'm the same way. I've owned that "Concert" album for decades and maybe spun it ONCE.
@@burlingtonbill1 True. The Col never allowed Elvis on any soundtracks in his lifetime
Bravo Steve
Thanks, Jamie!
I have the same tour book! I love the ads and the old artwork but I agree that some of the "interview" stuff is beyond bizarre. I don't think I've ever read the whole thing front to back. I like Lorne Greene's Ringo; Allan Sherman even called his clever parody track "The Ballad of Ringo Starr," no doubt hoping to cash in on the novelty craze. What is your favorite part of The TAMI Show? Leslie Gore's performances are mine. I emailed you about our crossover as well. Great stuff as always!
I haven't heard the Allan Sherman parody. I'll have to check that out! (I was just corresponding here about "records about Ringo." There's another one, I guess! Somebody really COULD to a whole episode on those!) Leslie Gore is really good in the TAMI Show. James Brown's performance is pretty hard to beat...though it's fun to watching the Stones trying! Thanks for the comments, as always, BB and I'll be back to you, via email, shortly!
Another nice effort, Steve. Thank you so much for investiing your time & energy into these episodes. Who knows, maybe you will be even more famous in the future as a "Living 60s Pop Historian."
The feeling I had while you were going at breakneck pace to get through all the BBs events, tours & appearances, was, "No WONDER BW had his panic attack!" As has been discussed before, the Fab Four had Brian Epstein & Sir George Martin behind them. All Brian had was a bitchy, pushy, bullying dad (for a while). To be fair, Murry did sell his business and gave his all, in the early days, but the abuse he must have had, as a kid himself, from "Buddy" Wilson showed up under pressure. It's no wonder BW did not necessarily want kids, and when he had them, retreated from trying to raise them!
I especially enjoyed your quoting of individual BBs in that tour booklet. I guess the writer thought that if he sounded "cool enough," teens of the era would suck it up uncritically. That attitude smacks of big-company know-it-all P.R. bilge: Let's ride this "racehorse" as hard as we can until the "race" (fad) is over! And let's be honest: a LOT of the era's music did not have the staying power of a "Brian Wilson," or a "Lennon-McCartney" behind it; nor the foundation of a Beach Boys / Beatles / Stones progenitor band putting it out there, either.
Thanks, as always, for the excellent perspective and insights, Bill! I certainly agree and I've just began wondering if an additional part of the pressure for acts like the Beach Boys and the Beatles was that they were so involved in creating their own material. Signing an act for three albums and six singles per year (or whatever it was) might have been reasonable for a Fabian or a Frankie Avalon, who would have had the tracks prepared for them and just come in to do vocals. With artist becoming more "auteur," it was unsustainable (something, I'm sure, record labels were not prepared to recognize in the mid sixties.)
"P.R. bilge" is an excellent term for so much of the writing in that tour program! I'll bet a lot of their "hip slang" sounded every bit as weird and off-kilter to teens then as it does to us now. Always great to hear from you, Bill, and thanks again!
8 parts?! I was afraid you were stuck in the DeLorian, Steve😮
Yes! As I mentioned, I've actually decided to spend one more week in '64 in order to talk about "Concert" and "Dance, Dance, Dance." Much more and we'd be doing 1964 "in real time!" Thanks for the feedback, and for the laugh, Marco!
Here’s a challenge for BB affectionate: are there any recordings of Glen Campbell playing live with The Beach Boys? That would be very interesting to hear.
That's a GREAT question! Anybody know for sure? Thanks for posing the question, Vincent!
That was pretty quick for the TAMI show to be filmed and played on the screens. Beach Boys were definitely busy. I'm surprised that Dance, Dance, Dance didn't go a little higher on the single charts.i liked Little Anthony/Imperials resurgence. They had a nice streak of hits-5 top 40 in a row. Another fine episode!
"Electronovision" seems like a pretty good idea for something like the TAMI Show; giving a little more control than a closed circuit simul-cast but still allowing the show to get out quickly, while the hits were still pretty current. (As fast as they were, Brian had already left the on-stage line-up by the time it hit theaters, which, I'm sure, no one watching was aware of at the time.) I'm surprised the format wasn't more widely used.
Thanks, again, for all the great info and insights, Angelique!
Rock-a-dandy? I love it! I may appropriate it!😉 But what the heck is a song wrangler? A singing-songwriting cowboy? Mike Love's dual personality? Maybe when he's in Monster Mash mode and non-Monster Mash mode. A Hawthorne Jekyll and Hyde! I would also normally attribute Mike's weird statements to his not having meditated that day, but he hadn't started yet. About Dennis, they wrote sexpot? In 1964? Wow. The Carl description is, of course, completely accurate. But now I'm curious what's in Al's library. When it comes to the Beatles' She's A Woman, I actually prefer Dave Dexter's echoey version and the Duophonic mix. It's wild! The dry UK stereo version to me is too dry and monotonous.
"Monster Mash mode vs. Non-Monster Mash mode!" I love that! I thought "sexpot" was odd for 1964 too. I assume it had a slightly different connotation in those days, like "making love" did, but I really don't know. Having researched "Holland" recently, the reference to Al being an avid reader made me think of the book of Robinson Jeffers' poetry that he adapted for "California Saga." Of course, that volume hadn't been published yet. Wonder what he was reading then? Self-Help books? No...If that was the case, he wouldn't have soon been asking for help from Rhonda. Interesting point about the different mixes of "She's A Woman." It was one Beatles track I didn't really "get" when I first heard it. "Monotonous" was exactly the impression I had. Later, especially after I heard Howlin' Wolf for the first time, I could finally understand what they were going for. Even so, I've got to believe that only "Beatlemania" could have made the track popular enough to put it in the top ten. Always great to hear from you, Joel! Thanks and have a great week!
LOL !!!! Lovin it ! 🤣
For those of us who had no idea who "Dave Dexter" is: th-cam.com/video/3NUtax4hhpw/w-d-xo.html
Great stuff Steve! I can say I don't really listen to that concert album much. Like I said in a previous comment, I think that album needs to be remastered. Maybe the same way they did the Beatles Hollywood Bowl album. When you mentioned that Ringo song, it reminded me of a single I found in that pile of records I got and went through a while ago. It's called Ringo For President. I don't know if you remember back when I said I was going through boxes of records someone had given me. It was in with those records. Back when I was trying to learn Guitar, I think they told you to put your fingernail lightly up against the string on that first note on I Feel Fine to replicate that sound. Anyway, thanks as always Steve.
Thanks for mentioning "Ringo For President!" It's a song I had vaguely heard of, but have never actually heard. (Perfect for 1964; the year of the Beatles and a presidential election.) I know Cher recorded a single called "Ringo I Love You" under the name "Bonnie Jo Mason" around this time too. (Wonder if there are others? Wonder if I could do a whole episode on "songs about Ringo"?) Cool that you found a copy of "For President" in those boxes. Sounds like there was some interesting stuff! Thanks for the info on how to get that first note on "I Feel Fine." I'll bet a LOT of garage bands were trying to work that one out in late '64 and 1965! Great to hear from you, Michael! Thanks!
I meant to mention, too; "Concert" is undoubtedly my "least played" Beach Boys album of the '60s. Fun when it's on, but I rarely go to it. In general, I'm not much of a fan of "live" records, though, undoubtedly my "most played 'live' album" is "Beach Boys In Concert" from '73. Thanks, Michael!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 I remember you saying that you weren't a fan of live albums. I never gave that Ringo For President a listen yet. I'll have to throw it on when I get home.
@@michaelthemovieattic I just gave it a listen on youtube. It's not as bad as I imagined. It might have made a nice soundtrack for a skit on a TV variety show or something. (Somebody even sprang for a horn section for it!)
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 Same here. I think, for me, it's always been a question of fidelity. In earlier sound recording days, "live sound" miking of a rock band was very primitive -- and the record always sounded like it.
i like Brian's bio in the tour book, it has an early mention of him being a genius, and his odd but clever sense of humor. Mike Love's sense of humor however did not translate well to writing 😂
I was surprised to see the "genius" tag being applied to Brian quite this early. The "odd but clever" sense of humor certainly seems like a major part of Brian's personality...(and I suppose it gets "odder" as time goes by.) Mike's sense of humor definitely does not translate well! I know there have been many times over the years when I've read interviews with him where I think I know what he's trying to say, but he's doing it in a way that makes him sound, frankly, like a jerk. My suspicion is that he comes off much better in person than he usually does in print. (Hope so, anyway!) Thanks for the great feedback, John!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 Could this be the first instance of using the "genius" tag ? Without getting TOO political, somehow Mikey makes me think of Tricky Dick Nixon (constantly "revising.") The humor in both cases seems "strained," at times.
@@burlingtonbill1 Yes! All politics aside, both Mike and RMN seemed to share a strange awkwardness when speaking "off script," especially when trying to be funny. It strikes me as unusual for people whose chosen professions requires so much of that. Really interesting comparison, Bill!
Is that a Frank Black cassette I see in the background? If so, Hang On To Your Ego for the win!
Yes! It's part of this week's theme of "black albums." Good eye on noticing it and thanks for reminding me about his excellent version of "Hang On To Your Ego!" I had almost forgotten about that! Great to hear from you, jfeast!
Steve - Although I'm a huge BB's fan, I have not kept up with the books about the group. I was not aware of "The Beach Boys In Concert" book. Have you reviewed this in a past episode, and if not, does this cover the early 70's group in detail? Their live years with Blondie and Ricky are a favorite of mine. What are the things you like about it? Your review of the "Concert" tour booklet is very enjoyable, as I really appreciate how deep you go into the sandy corners of the lore (jeez, the corny descriptions did not age well, huh?) Oh, and I ALWAYS enjoy your singing! Chris
Hey, Chris! I haven't done a real review of "Beach Boys In Concert" (which I probably should!) If the subject is of interest at all, this would be the volume to have. It's highly detailed and, from all indications, highly accurate. They cover all the concerts they could find up to Carl's passing in 1998 with "select" concerts listed after that. Of course, the amount of detail varies depending on the show (and I know they've continued to find a few shows they missed when they went to press.) They even list solo shows, which is really difficult info to find elsewhere! Anyway, I'd say, along with Jim Murphy's "Becoming the Beach Boys," it's one of the finest sources of Beach Boys information available. Thanks for the kind feedback on the episode...and the singing!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 What you've described is good enough for me, thanks. I'm confident it will have the early 70's era covered. The fact that it includes some solo info (I'm really hoping it covers Carl's performance dates) is an added bonus.
@@bchnwgn Sorry! I got so effusive about the book, I didn't really answer the question. Yes! The 70s are covered and Carl Wilson's solo dates are there too. Happy reading, Chris, and hope you'll let me know what you think!
Ordered! Thanks very much for the info, Steve.
Hey Steve - I received the BB In Concert book, and have already read the 1972 & 1973 chapters. Fascinating info here, between reading about what was going on at the time as well as the details noted about shows on specific dates (even the dates when the "BBs In Concert" tracks were recorded. It's interesting to read about resistant some audiences were to them performing new material (some were downright combative,) and how others were much more receptive - it was certainly rough going, but over time and determination they found a balance between old and new material to satisfy most everyone. Understandably, they had no interest in only playing the old material night after night. The cool thing is their insistence in playing the new material with Blondie and Ricky helped hone them into a tight, world-class road band which could compete with any other group at the time. It's interesting to wonder if The Beatles would have faced any of the same challenges had they continued to tour (they would have also had to hire several additional musicians to perform live.) Also included is some insight why Bruce left the group in early '72, why Blondie left at the end of '73, and the Dennis Wilson paradox (also - did you know it was Ricky Fataar who played the flute on "Caroline No?") No doubt that there is plenty of fascinating info to draw from when you finally get around to reviewing "The BBs In Concert" album sometime in the future to provide a well-rounded account of what was going on at the time. I also reviewed the solo concert dates for Carl Wilson, and confirmed I saw him in the summer of 1983 when he opened for America (not Jackson Browne as I had misremembered.)
2:29 What was the point of the EP? Not trying to be sarcastic--I'm legit curious. I think Wendy deserved a better fate. And speaking of Wendy, I left a recent comment about how I wince at the recorders sounding like dog whistles during the instr break. I have since found out those aren't recorders...or piccolos or flutes. It's apparently Brian on the Hammond organ, and I'm slightly astonished to be so wrong there. I humbly stand corrected, but I'm not wincing any less...
2:41 No one asked, but I'd say My Buddy Seat is easily the strangest BW composition of the period. I think it's a nifty, catchy record, but I guess I'm talking about the "wrap your arms around my waaaaaaaaaist" wailing chorus. Such a weird choice there, and maybe not surprising it stalled out at the bottom of the chart. And I know you run a family show here, Professor, but I gotta say I'm surprised it didn't become a smash hit in gay bars everywhere...
3:10 Why I am surprised that the Concert LP was #1 for a solid month--and at Christmas time, no less--at the end of the Year of Beatlemania? I mean, good for the Boys--they were at the top of an impressive heap of heavy hitters. Also, as hard as they were selling Dance, Dance, Dance on TV etc, I wonder if they were disappointed by the #8 showing--which was nearly the same peak for WIGUp. Guess the kids wanted surfing and cars...? Needless to say, I'm very much looking forward to next week's vid...
Your deadpan reading of the concert booklet had me Laughing Out Loud... Does anyone happen to know the membership numbers for the BBs fan club(s?) at the time...?
The end of '64 was indeed a whirlwind for the BBs. No wonder Brian fell apart, and I say that with legit sympathy for the guy. A great vid to cap off a big year...
Good question on EPs! I've always had the idea that EPs worked much better in the UK and European market. The American market never seemed to know what to do with them. (I'm researching "1957" at the moment and see that, in the late fifties, EPs appeared on the album charts. Of course, by '64, the hit sides, at least, are on the singles chart.) They certainly never seemed to fit in comfortably with the usual "albums and singles" set-up that had prevailed since the early 50s. (I'm sure there must have been some conference about the "price point" of a "Wendy" EP being able to move a certain number of units among teenagers unable to afford a full album or something. I'd love to know exactly what the rational was!)
Great (and hilarious!) points about "My Buddy Seat." I know Brian took some heat for having "given away" "Surf City." I somehow doubt he got too much grief for letting the Hondells have "My Buddy Seat."
Next week will be all about "Concert" and "Dance, Dance, Dance." I know what you mean about the chart showing of "Dance, Dance, Dance" not being all that much better than "When I Grow Up." (Kind of strange, now that I think of it, with "Dance" not showing itself to be a wildly popular subject for a Beach Boys single that the next single would be "Do You Wanna Dance?")
Glad you enjoyed the excerpts for the tour program! Those things are always a riot! I've been wondering today is slang was that different then, or if the people writing the program just didn't know how to use it. (Surely "making out" must have had the same meaning then, didn't it? So wouldn't "making out with the senior citizen set" have sounded bizarre then too?)
Thanks, as always, for the great, and fun, feedback!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 Excellent point about DYWDance following DDD--with DYWD obv faring even worse, and snapping a Top Ten streak of how long exactly? Two good (and very different) records to be sure, but I'd say having them released back-to-back is a rare thud in the BBs 60s timeline. Also hoping you'll touch on the Concert LP's reputation as a live performance--the album was obv popular with the masses, but I wonder what a pro would have to say about the musicianship etc. And wasn't a lot of it overdubbed or "fixed" in the studio later? Btw have you heard the BBs' live version of What'd I Say, from a mid-60s show in Australia...I think? The word "blistering" comes to mind--it's like, "THIS is the Beach Boys???" See you next week...
@@rangergrrrl I don't want to get too far ahead of myself here, but, looking at the tracks recorded for "Beach Boys Today!," I'm suddenly wondering if Brian was having momentary trouble coming up with an a-side in early '64. Overall quality of the work aside, there's not many new tracks that seem like AM radio "a-sides." I'll have to research it some more, but my impression is that "Do You Wanna Dance?" was "chosen" as an a-side, rather than "planned" as an a-side like most of their other singles. (Of course, they'll soon come roaring back with the re-recorded "Help Me, Rhonda.")
With the "Concert" album, I know "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "I Get Around" are undisputedly re-recorded in part or whole. The rest of it seems to be up for debate. Admittedly, I've never taken the time to compare the recordings on "Concert" to "Live In Sacramento 1964." (I expect there will be quite a bit of feedback on that subject here next week!) Thanks for mentioning that "Live In Australia" version of "What'd I Say." Great version and I had the same "This is the Beach Boys?" reaction when I first heard it. Thanks for the follow-up and have a great week!
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 I've never seen an EP for sale (retail) in my "45" buying days. What were their prices? 45s were 98 cents and mono LPs 4.98 IIRC, in 1964. Maybe the Beatlemania and British Invasion momentum were responsible for the "relative failure" of WIGUTBAM & DDD. Or maybe it was "BBs fatigue" on the part of the teen buyers? After all, as we've just seen, the BBs were everywhere in '64.
@@thebeachboysbasementwithst6444 I think you meant "in early '65". I think BW had definitely started moving on in his CREATIVE direction, as witnessed by the stellar but less radio-friendly "The Little Girl I Once Knew" by this time.