One of the longest-tenured members of the Beach Boys is hanging it up after more than six decades on the road to focus on songwriting and recording. According to Rolling Stone, Bruce Johnston, 83, is retiring from touring with the “Surfin’ USA” band after 61 years on the road, where he performed the band’s surf pop classics in upwards of 6,000 concerts.
“It’s time for Part Three of my lengthy musical career!” Johnston told the magazine of his decision, which will leave founding member singer Mike Love as the lone original-era member still touring with the band; fellow co-founder singer/rhythm guitarist Al Jardine stopped touring with the Love-led version of the Beach Boys in 2012.
“I can write songs forever and wait until you hear what’s coming!!! As my major talent beyond singing is songwriting, now is the time to get serious again,” Johnston continued. “In addition, I’m currently working on developing a speaking-engagement chapter of my career — inspired in part by Cary Grant, who long ago made a similar move after his movie career. With a ton of help designing what I speak about from [honorary Beach Boys member actor] John Stamos, I’ll be doing appearances and events of my own. I might even sing ‘Disney Girls’ & ‘I Write The Songs!!,’ he wrote, the latter in reference to, respectively, one of the handful of songs he wrote for the band, as well as the 1976 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 Barry Manilow hit he penned.
Johnston added that he’s still excited to join the band for special performances, specifically the upcoming July 2-4 gigs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles as part of the events celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary. “This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you soon. I am forever grateful to be a part of the Beach Boys musical legacy,” he said.
At press time a spokesperson for the Beach Boys had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment.
With the exception of a 2012 world tour in support of the That’s Why God Made the Radio album, Johnston has been the only other old-school member of the group to tour with Love for the past 28 years. He originally joined in band in 1965, four years after its founding, to help fill in for musical mastermind Brian Wilson when he stepped aside to focus on studio recordings. After splitting in 1972 to pursue solo work and songwriting, Johnston returned in 1978 and had been a reliable touring and recording member ever since.
In a separate statement to RS, Love called Johnston “one of the greatest songwriters, vocalist, and keyboardist of our time. We’ve had the honor of his performance and participation for many many years with the Beach Boys. Change is always promised in life, today we find ourselves in a chapter of change, but not an end.”
He praised Johnston for shifting his focus to his biggest strength: songwriting and recording, and said he looks forward to collaborating with him in the studio in the “very near future. I am very supportive of Bruce and I have every confidence that he will produce great music,” he added. “I am delighted that Bruce will join the band on special occasions and when his schedule permits including The Hollywood Bowl performances celebrating the 250th Birthday of our great nation. I love & respect Bruce Johnston.”
Chris Cron, the lead singer for the Beach Boys tribute act Pet Sounds Live, will replace Johnston in the touring version of the group. Estranged member Jardine continues to tour with the Pet Sounds Band — featuring former members of Wilson’s solo band — performing Wilson and the Beach Boys’ music, lately focusing on the 1977 The Beach Boys Love You album; they will hit the road again on April 11 with a gig at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, N.J.
Listen to some of Johnston’s compositions for the Beach Boys below.
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