Bruce Johnston Steps Away From The Beach Boys Touring After 61 Years
Bruce Johnston, a long-standing member of The Beach Boys, has announced his retirement from touring after 61 years. He plans to focus on songwriting and recording.
Bruce Johnston, the 83-year-old singer and keyboardist who joined The Beach Boys in 1965, is retiring from touring after more than six decades. He joined the group when Brian Wilson stepped back to concentrate on studio work.
According to Rolling Stone, Johnston performed with the "Surfin' USA" band in over 6,000 concerts. He will now focus on songwriting and recording.
Johnston stated, "It’s time for Part Three of my lengthy musical career!" He leaves Mike Love as the sole original-era member still touring with the band. Al Jardine stopped touring with Love's version of The Beach Boys in 2012.
He added, "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 also mentioned developing a speaking-engagement chapter, inspired by Cary Grant, with help from John Stamos.
Johnston is excited to join the band for special performances, including the July 2-4 gigs at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles for the United States’ 250th-anniversary celebrations. “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.
A spokesperson for The Beach Boys had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment at press time.
With the exception of the 2012 world tour for the That’s Why God Made the Radio album, Johnston has been touring with Love for the past 28 years. He initially joined the band in 1965 to fill in for Brian Wilson.
In a statement to RS, Love called Johnston “one of the greatest songwriters, vocalist, and keyboardist of our time... Change is always promised in life, today we find ourselves in a chapter of change, but not an end.”
Love praised Johnston's shift to songwriting and recording, expressing his support and anticipation for future collaborations. “I am delighted that Bruce will join the band on special occasions... I love & respect Bruce Johnston.”
Chris Cron, the lead singer for the Beach Boys tribute act Pet Sounds Live, will replace Johnston on tour. Jardine continues to tour with the Pet Sounds Band, performing Wilson and The Beach Boys’ music, focusing on the 1977 The Beach Boys Love You album. They will resume touring on April 11 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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