Brian Wilson Fired From The Beach Boys

Beach Boys Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks have been fired by Mike Love. Love issued the following statement: "The post-50th anniversary configuration will not include Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks."


That sounds bad...

Wilson told CNN: "I'm disappointed and can't understand why he doesn't want to tour with Al, David and me. We are out here having so much fun. After all, we are the real Beach Boys."

Love claimed that the decision was based on money and protecting the legacy. He stated: "You've got to be careful not to get overexposed."

No one is certain how that squares with his plan of more touring as The Beach Boys with Bruce Johnston and a backup band, which might include his son, Christian. A long-time pal of the band, John Stamos, might be joining this facade of a band. There is no firm word on that.

It has to be noted that the band is still on tour and is scheduled to play two dates in London on September 27 and 28.

Last week, while accepting an award at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, Love told the Los Angeles Times that he could see the band return to the studio again. "I'd be interested if I could write some songs with Brian."

At the same event Wilson told the newspaper that he found the tour, "very tiring," but that he's, "really looking forward to doing another album."

A lifetime fan, Charles Orlik, has even begaun an online petition to get Love to change his mind. Al Jardine tweeted his support for the petition.

The petition states: "In order to preserve the validity of "The Beach Boys" as a whole and not as a money saving, stripped down version that only contains one original member and one member that joined in 1965, we ask you to re-instate the three other members to the touring group for your final years performing." So far, the petition has gotten 2,100 signatures.

Just for the record, The Beach Boys formed in 1962 in Hawthorne, California. They had a string of hits with songs featuring their wondrous harmonies. Their sunny music created what became known as the "Southern California Sound."

They have been through breakups and lawsuits before. The final result in a 2008 lawsuit gave Love ownership of the Beach Boys name. But, not their soul and Love just carved out the heart of that soul. Perhaps cooler heads will prevail.

The question is: Do you agree with Love's decision to fire Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys?

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