After more than sixty years on stage, Bruce Johnston is finally stepping away from touring with ‘The Beach Boys’. It’s wild to think about because he’s been a core part of the group since the mid-1960s, shaping the sound of pop and rock for generations. Now, at 83, Bruce says he wants to focus on songwriting and try his hand at some new creative adventures. He’s not cutting ties completely, though; he made it clear he’s still part of the Beach Boys’ world.
Bruce Johnston announcement: End of an era
One of the key members of ‘The Beach Boys’, Bruce Johnston, made things official on March 4, letting everyone know he’s stepping out of the touring spotlight after 61 years. In his statement shared with Rolling Stone, he sounded upbeat and ready for what’s next: “It’s time for Part Three of my lengthy musical career! I can write songs forever and wait until you hear what’s coming! As my major talent beyond singing is songwriting, now is the time to get serious again.”He’s also got another project in mind: speaking engagements. He says he took a page out of Cary Grant’s book, who did something similar after his film career. With some help from John Stamos, Bruce is planning his own appearances and events. He might even treat people to “Disney Girls” or “I Write The Songs” once in a while. And he’s not disappearing; in fact, he’ll still show up for special Beach Boys performances, including their big show at the Hollywood Bowl for the country’s 250th birthday. “This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you soon. I am forever grateful to be a part of the Beach Boys musical legacy,” he said.
Who will replace Bruce Johnston in tour?
So what happens to The Beach Boys’ tour? Per Pitchfork, Chris Cron, who leads the tribute act Pet Sounds Live, is joining the band on the road. Chris really knows the band’s sound inside and out, so he’s a natural fit to help carry the harmonies forward. Mike Love, still at the helm after all these years, is leading the group’s touring version.In fact, when Bruce announced he was stepping back, Mike Love had nothing but praise. “Bruce is one of the greatest songwriters, vocalists, and keyboardists of our time,” he told Rolling Stone. “Change is always promised in life, today we find ourselves in a chapter of change, but not an end.” Mike’s excited to keep working with Bruce in the studio and thinks there’s plenty of music left to come. He’s also glad Bruce will still join the band for big events, especially that Hollywood Bowl show.
‘The Beach Boys’: Who they are
For the unversed, ‘The Beach Boys’ started in 1961 in Hawthorne, California, and basically invented the California sound. Songs like ‘Good Vibrations’, ‘Surfin’ USA’, ‘California Girls’, and ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’ defined an era and still hit today. Their album Pet Sounds is legendary: one of the greatest ever made, period. The band’s lineup has changed a lot over the years, but their music hasn’t lost its magic. Bruce, in particular, has been the only original member touring with Mike Love for almost three decades, except for the big 2012 reunion. He’s written Beach Boys staples like ‘Disney Girls’, ‘Deirdre’, and ‘Tears in the Morning’. He even took a break in 1972 to work on other projects, including writing Barry Manilow’s hit ‘I Write The Songs’. But Bruce came back in 1978, and he’s been with the group right up until his final show in January 2025.