Teaser // Bruce Johnston: GOING PUBLIC

Summary

Podcast Summary: Jokermen Episode - "Teaser // Bruce Johnston: GOING PUBLIC"

Release Date: April 18, 2025

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Introduction

In the latest episode of the Jokermen Podcast, hosts delve deep into the life and career of Bruce Johnston, a pivotal yet sometimes underappreciated member of The Beach Boys. Titled "Teaser // Bruce Johnston: GOING PUBLIC," this episode serves as an insightful exploration of Bruce's solo endeavors, his integration into The Beach Boys, and his lasting impact on the band's musical legacy.

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Early Career and Solo Ventures

The discussion begins with a nuanced examination of Bruce Johnston's early forays into the music industry. Prior to his association with The Beach Boys, Bruce released solo projects that laid the groundwork for his later success.

• Surfer's Pajama Party (1963): Hosts highlight Bruce's initial attempt to capture the surf rock essence that was burgeoning in Southern California. Host 1 remarks at [02:02] that "Surfer's Pajama Party" was an instrumental cover album credited to the Hot Doggers, noting, "I wish we still lived in a world where, you know, new bands were called things like the Hot Doggers."

• Surfing Around the World: Continuing from his first album, Bruce released "Surfing Around the World," another surf-centric project. Host 2 emphasizes the authenticity Bruce brought to his music, stating, "Bruce was clearly just doing whatever he was doing before the Beach Boys started doing surf stuff."

The hosts discuss how these early projects, while not commercially successful, provided Bruce with invaluable industry experience and connections, particularly with Terry Melcher, who played a significant role in shaping Bruce's musical direction.

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Joining The Beach Boys

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Bruce Johnston's transition into The Beach Boys.

• Replacement of Glen Campbell: When Glen Campbell exited The Beach Boys in 1965, Bruce was brought in as his successor. Host 1 humorously compares the two, suggesting, "I think he was honestly probably better than Glen Campbell, because Glen Campbell goes on to be Glenn Campbell. And Bruce sort of just fits into the background."

• Contributions and Songwriting: Bruce's integration into the band wasn't just as a replacement vocalist; he became a vital contributor. Notable songs like "Deirdre," "Tears in the Morning," and "Disney Girls" are highlighted as examples of his songwriting prowess.

  Host 2 praises Bruce's unique style, describing it as "pure schmaltz with an emphasis on the pure," indicating a sincere and well-crafted emotional depth in his music.

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Musical Style and Industry Role

The hosts delve into Bruce Johnston's musical style and his professional approach to the music industry.

• Schmaltz and Sincerity: There's an appreciation for Bruce's ability to infuse genuine emotion into his music without veering into what some might perceive as cheesy territory. Host 2 comments, "It's not. Doesn't seem like he thinks of it as cheap."

• Industry Professionalism: Bruce is portrayed as an industry veteran who approached music not as a calling but as a profession. Host 1 observes, "He was good at it. It wasn't a calling for him necessarily the way that it was for Brian Wilson or many of our other favorite artists."

This professional demeanor helped Bruce navigate the complexities of the music industry, contributing significantly to The Beach Boys' sound during his tenure.

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Departure from The Beach Boys

The conversation turns somber as the hosts discuss Bruce Johnston's eventual departure from the band.

• Reasons for Leaving: While not extensively covered in the transcript, there's an implication that Bruce's departure was influenced by interpersonal dynamics within the group. Host 1 hints at challenges, stating, "He ends up getting ejected from the Beach Boys."

• Impact of Departure: Bruce's exit marked the end of a significant chapter for The Beach Boys, as he had contributed meaningfully to their later works. The hosts express a sense of loss, noting the absence of Bruce's unique touch in subsequent projects.

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Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, several memorable quotes provide insight into the hosts' perspectives:

• Host 1 ([00:26]): "It's the Bruce episode, folks. I can take all been clamoring for it."

• Host 2 ([07:35]): "He's like the good boy, the sweet good boy of the Beach Boys."

• Host 1 ([08:32]): "He's just sort of an industry guy. He was good at it. He could kind of catch the wave."

• Host 2 ([08:36]): "He does have a unique role, a style, anyway, a tone that he likes."

These quotes encapsulate the hosts' admiration for Bruce Johnston's professionalism, musicality, and the nuanced role he played within The Beach Boys.

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Conclusion

In "Bruce Johnston: GOING PUBLIC," the Jokermen Podcast offers a comprehensive look at Bruce Johnston's multifaceted career. From his early solo projects and seamless integration into The Beach Boys to his distinctive musical style and eventual departure, Bruce's story is portrayed with depth and appreciation. This episode serves both longtime fans and newcomers by shedding light on Bruce's enduring legacy in the annals of American pop and rock music.

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Additional Resources

For listeners interested in exploring more about Bruce Johnston and The Beach Boys, the hosts recommend visiting patreon.com/jokermen for ad-free episodes and accessing a rich archive of music content, including works by iconic artists such as Bob Dylan, Velvet Underground, Steely Dan, Lou Reed, and John Cale.

Follow Jokermen Podcast on Instagram and Twitter at @jokermenpodcast for updates and community discussions.

Transcript

[Host 1]

All right, well, I'm gonna let you kind of run the show on this one because.

[Host 2]

Why?

[Host 1]

Because you were the one that want. I. I did not even have this on the schedule, but you said we gotta do this one. I know that I've. I've had to. To. To shoulder the load in some of the dentist conversations because you haven't been as quite as interested in those. So you can. You can. You can take the load on this one. It's the brute. It's the Bruce episode, folks. I can take all been clamoring for it.

[Host 2]

Take the load on it. Interesting choice of words. I am as much a specialist on this topic as you. I just figured what are we doing if we're. If we're really doing this in the jokerman fashion? And that is what we're doing. We can't not talk about the musical output of Bruce Johnston a la carte. And I think that it's a good thing to have an episode about this because I've missed him a little bit since he left, since he's been gone.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I think his. I mean, he's only been gone for a little while. It's been, you know, we've been taking our sweet time so far this year, but he was, you know, he was in the band as recently as Carl and the Passions. And, you know, now he's about to come back again on. Not Miu, but I think on maybe on Miu, actually either Miu or Light album, you know, so one of the next ones that we do. And then he's. He's sticking around until the very end. You know, it's been a nice little break from Bruce, but I'm glad to be coming back to him here. Going public is the occasion of our conversation. 1977, his, I guess the first solo record that we're talking about here, but not actually his first solo record because there were two other Bruce Johnston solo records that came out before he was even in the Beach Boys, which we neglected to talk about. Yeah, if we talked about those we had, we would have had to talk about them as, like, the second episode of the entire series, so it wouldn't have made any sense.

[Host 2]

So.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Well, we can lodge some conversations about what is it?

[Host 2]

Surfer Pajama Party, Surfing Round the World from 1963. And then Surfer's Pajama Party.

[Host 1]

Surfer's Pajama Party, which is stupid.

[Host 2]

Bruce Johnston. And with the Bruce Johnston Surfing Band.

[Host 1]

The Original Surfer Stomp. 1, 2, 3, 4.

[Guest]

Welcome up and do a surfer stop. I sit. Come on and do a superstar. Slide your feet off the floor and feel.

[Host 1]

That's right.

[Host 2]

So this was recorded live on the UCLA campus. Wow.

[Host 1]

That's what they would have you believe. I think it was sort of like a Beach Boys party type thing where, like, they want you to think it was like a live record cut, you know, at a concert. And maybe there were some parts that were. But I think there were some overdubs and, you know, in studio, additions made.

[Host 2]

So. Did you listen to both of those albums?

[Host 1]

I listened to a couple of the songs on both of them.

[Host 2]

I made sure to listen to all of it.

[Host 1]

You listened to all of both of them?

[Host 2]

Yeah, today.

[Host 1]

All right. You're really. You're putting in the work here. Thank you.

[Host 2]

I was busy doing other stuff and threw them on, and I just put them on a master playlist, a Bruce playlist. I got all of it here, and then I just hit play and spent.

[Host 1]

An hour and a half listening to Surfer's Pajama Party.

[Host 2]

Nothing but Bruce.

[Host 1]

I hate that.

[Host 2]

Surfing around the world. I don't know what to. I mean, it's. It's pretty interesting that they. I mean, they couldn't have possibly picked someone better to join the Beach Boys. Like, they needed another Beach Boy. Look, there he is.

[Host 1]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Guest]

Now he's denying it. Everybody's trying it this earth and round the world.

[Host 1]

Here's a guy who's basically doing the Beach Boys. Yeah, exactly. I mean, he. Bruce. I guess we can deliver a little bit of biography. Bruce. His name isn't even Bruce, and his last name wasn't even Johnston. His name was Benjamin Baldwin.

[Host 2]

Oh, he's just kind of any. Anyone you want him to be. He's. He's just. It's kind of poetic that he's.

[Host 1]

Yeah, he does kind of just fit in wherever. Wherever there's a slot for him. It's true.

[Host 2]

It's just like, we need a new Beach Boy and also we need a new son.

[Host 1]

Here we go.

[Host 2]

What do you want to be called?

[Host 1]

Wealthy family there in Los Angeles. He grew up in Brentwood, in Bel Air. So, you know, anyone familiar with the Southern California basin? They know that. I'm sure he's going to the Brentwood Country Market all the time. Brentwood Farmer's Market, you know, shopping center where all the celebrities hang out these days.

[Host 2]

The Brentwood Country Club, too.

[Host 1]

Yeah. But, yeah, he was into music as a kid, you know, started some bands, did some producing and stuff, and then ended up at, I think, at Columbia Records. You know, he was working with Terry Melcher from a young age, who, you know, Doris Day's son. Refer everyone back to our Charles Manson episode for a little bit more about Terry Melcher. 1963 came the first collaboration with Terry Melcher, a mostly instrumental covers album credited to the Hot Doggers.

[Host 2]

Wow.

[Host 1]

I wish we still lived in a world where, you know, new bands were called things like the Hot Doggers.

[Host 2]

I think that's a. I think that's a surfing reference.

[Host 1]

I think that's a move like the hot dog.

[Host 2]

I think so. Hot Dogging.

[Host 1]

Hot Dogging.

[Host 2]

I'm not sure, but yeah, I think it's one of those. But yeah, he. He was clearly just, yeah, like doing. I don't know. Was he doing this before the Beach Boys started doing surf stuff?

[Host 1]

Like, I think he started doing it right around then, you know, because I think the Beach. I mean, I. The Beach Boys really were the big one that blew up first with surfing and surfin safari and stuff. But I think Bruce was right. He was in Los Angeles. He was already in the recording industry. And it wasn't very hard to just rig up whatever this is, the Bruce Johnston Pajama Party surfing band or whatever, and do just 25 minutes of completely replaceable surf rock and just put it out there and see if it turns into a million seller, which neither of these did. But he had gotten some reps under his belt and he had obviously made some connections in the. In the industry. So when Glenn Campbell exited the Beach Boys, you know, because he had been offered a permanent position in like 65, Bruce was next man up, you know, second stringer. Come on up, buddy.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Yeah. And he definitely was able to do whatever Glen Campbell was doing in the Beach Boys without a problem. He was there. He was.

[Host 1]

Yeah, he. I think he was honestly probably better than Glen Campbell, because Glen Campbell goes on to be Glenn Campbell. And like, you know, Bruce sort of just fits into the backgr. His time in the Beach Boys. He doesn't even start appearing on record covers or contributing to writing songs until 20, 24 years after he, quote unquote, joins the band. And then he's there for a couple years. And I think we've been fans of Bruce's so far, right? Deirdre and Tears in the Morning and Disney Girls. Obviously, we're going to get to talk about some of those songs again today.

[Host 2]

Yeah, he is. He's like the good boy, the sweet good boy of the Beach Boys. I guess he has an identity that doesn't really show up in these early records, which we don't really have to talk much about. I do think he does have a unique role, a style, anyway, a tone that he likes, which ends up being, yeah, these. More like treacle. Just pure schmaltz. But like pure schmaltz with an emphasis on the pure. I think like a sincere and well crafted schmaltz. It's, it's. It's not. Doesn't seem like he thinks of it as cheap.

[Host 1]

But he also doesn't think of it as anything greater, I think. Also, I think he's just sort of an industry guy. He's came up in a world where people wrote songs as a profession and people recorded music as a profession, produced it as a profession, performed it as a profession, and he was good at it. It wasn't a calling for him necessarily the way that it was for Brian Wilson or many of our other favorite artists, but he, you know, he was good at it. He. He could kind of catch the wave, so to speak, to sort of an obvious pun and, you know, was in the right place at the right time. And by virtue of doing that, being there, you know, he ends up contributing a couple really great songs to one of the great bands on. On a couple records. And then, you know, he ends up getting ejected from the Beach Boys. What. What was the phrase again? His. His bad life ways or whatever. His.

[Host 2]

The vibe.

[Host 1]

Sort of a bummer to be around.

[Host 2]

Anything that we've read about it seem like he just started getting kind of intense in a weird way.