On Sunday, Beach Boy Mike Love surprised his bandmates Al Jardine, Brian Wilson and David Marks by firing them from the group. Currently wrapping up their 50th Anniversary Tour, Love, who has owned the rights to the Beach Boy’s name since a 1998 legal decision, will continue touring with a band of his choosing.
All reasons for the decision point to a cash grab on Love’s part. In a statement to his Facebook followers, clearly upset with the decision, Al Jardine posted:
“To Mike Love. 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 reinstate the three other members to the touring group for your final years performing. It’s the right thing to do, and it’s what the fans want!”
His plea has turned into a petition, which currently boasts 6,100 signatures and growing. Wouldn’t it be nice to give the fans what they want?
For more, check out SPIN.
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