Mike Love has sacked the rest of The Beach Boys, with Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks set to depart at the end of the current tour.
Given the band's fraught, fractious history the Beach Boys' re-union was never going to be a smooth affair. However during recent interviews (and an appearance on Later… With Jools Holland) the band gave off the appearance of a slick, disciplined unit.
Yesterday, though, Mike Love dropped a bombshell. The singer owns the band's name after a series of highly charged legal battles and, following a dispute over touring, has elected to fire the remaining members of the group. (via The Daily Telegraph)
In a statement Mike Love said: "The post-50th anniversary configuration will not include Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks. The 50th Reunion Tour was designed to be a set tour with a beginning and an end to mark a special 50-year milestone for the band."
Continuing, the singer emphasised that the decision was driven by financial concerns. "You've got to be careful not to get overexposed. There are promoters who are interested (in more shows), but they've said, 'Give it a rest for a year'. The Eagles found out the hard way when they went out for a second year and wound up selling tickets for $5." It's thought that the rest of the band found out about Mike Love's decision when the statement reached media. Speaking to CNN, Brian Wilson said: "I'm disappointed and can't understand why he doesn't want to tour with Al, David and me. We are out here having so much fun. After all, we are the real Beach Boys."
Check out 'That's Why God Made The Radio' below.
