California Music

1970s American rock supergroup

This article is about the 1970s supergroup. For the music of California, see Music of California.

California Music

Origin| Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Years active| 1974 (1974)–1976 (1976), 2021
Labels| Equinox, Omnivore
Past members|

* Bruce Johnston
* Terry Melcher
* Brian Wilson
* Gary Usher
* Dean Torrence
* Curt Boettcher
* Mike Love
* Al Jardine
* David Marks
* Carnie Wilson
* Wendy Wilson
* Matt Jardine
* Justyn Wilson
* Christian Love
* Hayleigh Love
* Ambha Love

California Music was an American rock supergroup that formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1974. It was originally a loose collective of studio musicians, with participation from Bruce Johnston, Terry Melcher, Gary Usher, Curt Boettcher, Dean Torrence, and Brian Wilson. Equinox Records released three singles by the group from 1974 to 1976, after which the band went inactive. In 2021, the group was reformed by members of the Beach Boys and their children. Omnivore Recordings released their first album: California Music Presents Add Some Music.

## History

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### Original iteration

[edit]

The group was conceived by former Beach Boy Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher.[1] Though still under contract to Warner Bros. Records, Brian Wilson signed a sideline production deal with Johnston and Melcher's Equinox Records in early 1975. Together, they attempted to establish the loose-knit music collective with Gary Usher and Curt Boettcher.[2] Biographer John Tobler described the project as involving Johnston, Melcher, Wilson, Dean Torrence, "and a few others ... who had recorded previously as the Legendary Masked Surfers."[3] Wilson was paid a bonus advance of $25,000, described by Johnston as "probably the highest production royalty any producer's ever received."[4] Due to Wilson's irresponsible expenditures, his income had been redirected to the bank account of his wife Marilyn. According to biographer Timothy White, Wilson "begged her" to place the money in an account separate to hers.[4]

Brian Wilson in the studio, 1976

Wilson was involved with California Music's renditions of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" and "Jamaica Farewell", acting as co-producer, instrumentalist, and backing vocalist.[2] Melcher spoke of his contributions: "He wouldn't even touch anything in the control booth; he acted like he was afraid to. He'd offer suggestions, but he wouldn't go near the board. He knows his reputation, so he makes a lot of unfinished records; sometimes, I feel that he feels that he's peaked and does not want to put his stamp on records so that peers will have a Brian Wilson track to criticize."[5] Melcher was reportedly "crushed" upon seeing Wilson in his poor mental and physical state, unable to recognize his former Wrecking Crew associates that Melcher had hired for the project.[6] According to biographer Steven Gaines, Wilson refused to finish any more tracks for California Music.[7]

Wilson remembered meeting Elvis Presley at RCA Victor Studio on the day of recording "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" and inviting the singer to listen to what they had recorded.[8] According to Memphis Mafia member Jerry Schilling, "After a few tracks, Brian says, 'Well? Do you think they're any good?' Elvis looks up and replies, 'Nah,' before leaving. I don't think he had any idea that the guy was Brian Wilson."[9]

Pursuant to his contract with Warner Bros., Wilson was liable to be sued by the label if he did not contribute a certain percentage to the Beach Boys' studio recordings.[10] Johnston recalled, "Brian spent a day and night talking to us about it; he was really desperate for an outlet, because basically the deal at Warners was for the Beach Boys."[5] At the behest of Marilyn, he was legally ousted from California Music in order to focus his undivided attention on the Beach Boys, who perceived the side project as Brian's attempt to pay for his growing drug expenses.[2] Mike Love's brother and Beach Boys manager Stephen Love said, "He [Brian] said to me 'Don't try to reach me! Don't try to get to me!' He was so upset Marilyn didn't want [the Equinox deal] to happen."[2] The bonus advance was soon transferred to an account belonging to Marilyn at a different bank.[4]

In the meantime, the Beach Boys' recent Endless Summer compilation was a great commercial hit, and the band — without Brian — was touring non-stop, making them the biggest live draw in the United States.[11] According to Love: "We were under contract with Warner Bros., and we couldn't have him going on a tangent. If he was going to be productive, it's gotta be for the Beach Boys."[2] With Wilson gone, California Music immediately disintegrated.[2] Afterward, Boettcher soon collaborated with Johnston and the Beach Boys on the 1979 disco version of their song "Here Comes the Night", which appeared on the album L.A. (Light Album) and marked Johnston's return to the Beach Boys.[1]

### Reformation

[edit]

In 2021, a new iteration of California Music was organized and produced by David Beard, the editor and publisher of the Beach Boys fanzine Endless Summer Quarterly. The grouping consisted of Johnston and fellow Beach Boys Mike Love, Al Jardine, and David Marks, as well as children of the band members: Carnie and Wendy Wilson (daughters of Brian); Justyn Wilson (son of Carl); Christian, Hayleigh, and Ambha Love; and Matt Jardine. Their debut album, California Music Presents Add Some Music, was released via Omnivore Recordings on April 23, 2021. The re-recording of “Add Some Music To Your Day” was the first studio recording to feature Mike Love, Al Jardine, Johnston, and Marks together since the end of the 50th Reunion Tour in 2012.[12]

## Discography

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Album

* California Music Presents Add Some Music (2021)

Singles

* "Don't Worry Baby" (b/w "Ten Years Harmony") (1974)
* "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" (b/w "Don't Worry Baby") (1975)
* "Jamaica Farewell" (b/w "California Music") (1976)
* "Add Some Music to Your Day" (2021)

## See also

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* California Sound

## References

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Citations

1. ^ a b Howard 2004, p. 85.
2. ^ a b c d e f Carlin 2006, p. 198.
3. ^ Tobler 1978, p. 73.
4. ^ a b c White 1996, p. 290.
5. ^ a b Leaf 1978, p. 169.
6. ^ Howard 2004, p. 84.
7. ^ Gaines 1986, p. 277.
8. ^ Sharp, Ken (November 1, 2013). "Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Mike Love - The Interview". Rock Cellar Magazine. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
9. ^ Badman 2004, p. 346.
10. ^ Carlin 2006, p. 199.
11. ^ Carlin 2006, p. 205.
12. ^ Greene, Andy (February 26, 2021). "Hear the Beach Boys Reunite on Charity Re-Recording of 'Add Some Music to Your Day'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 7, 2021.

Bibliography

* Badman, Keith (2004). The Beach Boys: The Definitive Diary of America's Greatest Band, on Stage and in the Studio. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-0-87930-818-6.
* Carlin, Peter Ames (2006). Catch a Wave: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Rodale. ISBN 978-1-59486-320-2.
* Gaines, Steven (1986). Heroes and Villains: The True Story of The Beach Boys. New York: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0306806479.
* Howard, David N. (2004). Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings (1. ed.). Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Hal Leonard. ISBN 9780634055607.
* Leaf, David (1978). The Beach Boys and the California Myth. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. ISBN 978-0-448-14626-3.
* Tobler, John (1978). The Beach Boys. Chartwell Books. ISBN 0890091749.
* White, Timothy (1996). The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the Southern Californian Experience. Macmillan. ISBN 0333649370.

* v
* t
* e

Brian Wilson

* Discography
* Songs

Studio albums|

* Brian Wilson
* I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
* Orange Crate Art
* Imagination
* Gettin' In over My Head
* Brian Wilson Presents Smile
* What I Really Want for Christmas
* That Lucky Old Sun
* Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
* In the Key of Disney
* No Pier Pressure
* At My Piano

Live albums|

* Live at the Roxy Theatre
* Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds Live

Soundtracks|

* I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
* Long Promised Road

Compilations|

* The Beach Boys Classics Selected by Brian Wilson
* Pet Projects: The Brian Wilson Productions
* The Big Beat 1963
* Sessions '64
* Playback: The Brian Wilson Anthology

Singles|

* "Caroline, No"
* "Gettin' Hungry"
* "Let's Go to Heaven in My Car"
* "Love and Mercy"
* "Melt Away"
* "Do It Again"
* "Your Imagination"
* "Wonderful"
* "Good Vibrations"
* "Our Prayer" (Freeform Reform)
* "Walking Down the Path of Life / Love & Mercy"
* "What I Really Want for Christmas"
* "Midnight's Another Day"
* "What Love Can Do"
* "The Like In I Love You"
* "God Only Knows"
* "The Right Time"
* "Runaway Dancer"
* "On the Island"

Other non-
Beach Boys
songs|

| Album tracks|

* "Rio Grande"
* "Still I Dream of It"
* "Smart Girls"
* "She Says That She Needs Me"
* "California Feelin'"
* "Soul Searchin'"
* "Can't Wait Too Long"
* "One Kind of Love"
* "The Last Song"
* "Somewhere Quiet"

|

Co-written|

* "The Big Beat"
* "Dead Man's Curve"
* "Drag City"
* "I Do"
* "Guess I'm Dumb"
* "He's a Doll"
* "The New Girl in School"
* "Push It"
* "Sidewalk Surfin'"
* "Surf City"

Guest features|

* "When Love Is Dying"
* "Any Emotions"
* "Falling Apart"
* "Dirty Computer"
* "Resentment"

Memoirs|

* Wouldn't It Be Nice: My Own Story
* I Am Brian Wilson: A Memoir

Documentaries|

* I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
* Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile
* Long Promised Road

Tributes|

* 2001 Radio City Music hall concert
* "Brian Wilson"
* Caroline Now!
* Making God Smile
* Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson
* "Pancreas"
* Smiles, Vibes & Harmony
* Smiling Pets
* "This Could Be the Night"

Related media|

* Adult/Child
* The Beach Boys Love You
* Catch a Wave
* The Cocaine Sessions
* Cows in the Pasture
* Folkways: A Vision Shared
* Friends
* Inside the Music of Brian Wilson
* Love & Mercy
* soundtrack
* Andy Paley sessions
* Pet Sounds
* Sessions
* "Shortenin' Bread"
* Smile
* Sessions
* Spring
* Sweet Insanity
* The Wilson Project
* The Wilsons
* A World of Peace Must Come

Family|

* Melinda Ledbetter
* Kevin Love
* Mike Love
* Stan Love
* Carl Wilson
* Carnie Wilson
* Dennis Wilson
* Murry Wilson
* Wendy Wilson
* Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford

Other topics|

* American Spring
* The Beach Boys
* Bellagio home studio
* Bob & Sheri
* "Brian Wilson is a genius"
* California Music
* California sound
* The Honeys
* Eugene Landy
* Love v. Wilson
* Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary World Tour
* Radiant Radish
* Loren Darro Schwartz
* Wilson–Beck 2013 Tour
* Wondermints

* v
* t
* e

Mike Love

Studio albums|

* Looking Back with Love
* Unleash the Love
* Reason for the Season
* 12 Sides of Summer
* Mike Love Not War

Singles|

* "Gettin' Hungry"
* "Be My Baby"
* "Da Doo Ron Ron"
* "Jingle Bell Rock"
* "Santa's Goin' to Kokomo"
* "Hungry Heart"
* "(You'll Never Be) Alone on Christmas Day"
* "Do It Again"

Family|

* Kevin Love
* Stan Love
* Brian Wilson
* Carl Wilson
* Dennis Wilson
* Murry Wilson

Related articles|

* The Beach Boys
* touring band
* The Beatles in India
* Celebration
* Almost Summer
* Celebration
* Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy
* Love v. Wilson
* "Pacific Ocean Blues"
* Songs
* Dean Torrence

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