2011
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February |
Mike & Bruce take part in the celebrations marking the centenary of Ronald Regan's birth at the Regan Library in Simi Valley (5th): Alan joins them, the first time he's shared a stage with them for nearly 13 years. Alan plays shows in Osaka, Japan on the 16th and Tokyo on the 17th & 18th. According to an interview with Alan, Capitol will release the 1966-67 Smile sessions in the summer. And then he changes his mind. |
March |
Billboard breaks the long-awaited news that this summer will see the release of The Smile Sessions by Capitol, and with the band's blessing. The legendary recordings will be released as a digital download, a 2CD set and also as a deluxe 4CD/ 2LP/ 2single/book box set. It is announced that Brian will be recieve NARM's Chairman's Award for Sustained Creative Achievement and also the annual George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement. |
April |
In support of Record Store Day on the 16th, two limited edition 10" 78rpm discs are released, "Good Vibrations/same (alternate)" and "Heroes And Villains" in the same format. Also released on the same day in aid of the Japanese earthquake/tsunami disaster is a limited edition 7" single pairing "Don't Fight The Sea" with a vocal-only version of "Friends" from 1968. |
May |
With a pared-back band, Brian makes a flying visit to England to record a set for "Later... with Jools Holland", which airs on the 13th on BBC2. During a UK interview, he announces he's probably retiring from touring within the next year. In the final week of May, Brian, Mike, Bruce & Alan reunite in the studio for the first time in almost 16 years to re-record "Do It Again" and work on other titles. |
June |
Brian embarks on his first-ever full Canadian tour, playing BWRG at nine cities between the 15th and the 28th. Prior to that he plays BWRG shows in Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey and a three night run at the Highline Theatre in NYC (6th-13th). The band arejoined by local string musicians, but Taylor remains absent, leading to specualtion that she's been 'let go'. On the 22nd it's announced that the three Scandinavian shows have been postponed as Brian has "an unavoidable studio situation in Los Angeles". |
July |
Mike & Bruce play Paris on the 6th, Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, England on the 7th, and Dublin on the 9th - a show in Sweden is cancelled - before playing three festivals in France, 16th-19th. Brian recieves the Mojo Lifetime Achievement Award in London on the 20th: he then starts a short summer US tour on the 29th, visiting Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Georgia and Florida. |
August |
Brian's tour wraps on the 5th, but from the 24th - 28th he plays four shows in California. On the 30th, Capitol Records oficially announce that The Smile Sessions will be released on November 1st (in the US: October 31st in the UK). |
September |
The 15th is the 50th anniversary of "Surfin'" being performed for Hite Morgan. From the 7th to the 18th, Brian tours the British Isles: starting in Dublin, he then plays the Isle of Wight Bestival festival on the 9th followed by shows in Gateshead (10th), Glasgow (11th), Manchester (13th) and Birmingham (14th), before returning to London's Royal Festival Hall for the first time since 2007 (16th-18th). He then plays Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels between the 20th and the 22nd: excluding the Bestival date, all shows include Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin in full. Three scheduled dates in Scandinavia (24th-26th) are postponed as Brian has a pressing studio appointment. It's announced that The Beach Boys will be inducted into the California Hall Of Fame later in the year. |
October |
The 3rd marks the 50th anniversary of the first ever Beach Boys recording session. In The Key Of Disney is released on the 25th, charting at #83. Meanwhile, Brian is recording tracks, for either a new solo album or a Beach Boys 'reunion' project, depending on who you listen to. |
November |
"Surfin'/Luau", the first record to bear the name "Beach Boys" was released 50 years ago on Candix 331. The Smile Sessions are released on the 1st to almost universally rave reviews. It charts at #27 (and #25 in the UK). |
December |
On the 5th, Brian appears at the annual Help Group's Teddy Bear Ball in LA. The 12th sees The Beac Boys inducted into the California Hall Of Fame: Mike, Alan & David attend the ceremony, Brian doesn't. On the 16th, the official announcement of a 50th Anniversary tour is made: commencing headlining performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in April 2012, the surviving five will reunite for a projected 50-date international tour, In addition, Capitol records will be releasing a new career-spanning box set, a new hits compilation and several other new commemorative releases. The 31st sees the official 50th anniversary of The Beach Boys, according to band tradition. |