After dropping hints of a 50th anniversary reunion a few months back it seems that the Beach Boys are officially planning a reunion for the 50th anniversary of their formation.
The surviving members (Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston) have been meeting up again over the summer and discussing their plans. They’ve recorded a new version of their 1968 hit “Do It Again,” which will likely see the light of day in the coming months, while Jardine told Rolling Stone that they do indeed plan to tour despite their age and past differences. “We’ll do maybe 50 amphitheaters here and 50 or 60 overseas,” says Jardine. “It’ll be whenever the buyers think is the best time for us. We’re wide open for that.”
That’s a lot of dates, especially for guys in their 70s, but people who happened to have been at the recording of that new version of “Do It Again” say they still have it. Jardine claims that at the recording “Even the veteran sound engineers were moved” and Love says “Brian asked me, ‘How does a 70-year-old sound that good?'”
At the moment this is all the news we have to go on, but it is extremely promising nontheless. It comes on top of the confirmed release of the long awaited official release of Smile Sessions. Beach Boys fans better get excited, and perhaps more importantly, get saving!
Update: NME reports that Brian Wilson will not participate in next year’s Beach Boys reunion tour. Wilson reportedly told Q Magazine “There’s been talk that I was going to join the Mike Love group but it’s not true.” The singer also notes “it all depends on how we feel and how much money’s involved. Money’s not the only reason I made records, but it does hold a place in our lives.” So, this tour quickly becomes way less exciting, but who knows, maybe John Stamos is free.
Update 2: Months later, we can now confirm that Brian Wilson will take part in The Beach Boys reunion after all. According to a press release issued today, The Beach Boys are back together and recording a new album, with a 50-date tour planned for 2012, beginning at New Orleans’ Jazz Fest. Someone call Stamos and let him down gently.
