After 60 years with the Beach Boys, Bruce Johnston is taking a step back from the band.
But Johnston said his music career isn’t over.
“It’s time for part three of my long musical career!” Johnston told Rolling Stone. “I can write songs forever and I’ll wait until you hear what’s going to happen!!! My main talent other than singing is songwriting, so it’s time to get serious again.”
The 82-year-old musician said the next phase of his career will lean heavily into songwriting and a new venture: speaking engagements.
“Additionally, I am currently working on developing a speaking engagement chapter in my career, partially inspired by Cary Grant, who took similar action long ago after his film career,” Johnston explained.
“With great help from John Stamos in designing what I’m going to say, I’ll be doing my own appearances and events. I might even sing ‘Disney Girls’ or ‘I Write the Songs’!!”
Johnston emphasized that he will continue to be associated with the group that helped define the California sound.
“I’m thrilled to be joining the Beach Boys in their performance for this special occasion. I look forward to seeing you all at the Hollywood Bowl as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary!!” he continued. “This is not goodbye, we’ll see you again soon. I’m forever grateful to be a part of the Beach Boys’ musical legacy.”
Johnston marked the end of an era that spanned nearly 6,000 concerts and generations of fans. He joined the band in 1965 when Brian Wilson left to focus on studio work.
For nearly three decades, with the exception of the band’s 2012 reunion tour, Johnston was the only member of the original era to tour regularly with Mike Love. His contributions go far beyond the stage. Johnston wrote several Beach Boys songs, including “Disney Girls,” “Deirdre,” and “Tears in the Morning.”
During his brief departure from the group in 1972, Johnston wrote the blockbuster hit “I Write the Songs,” famously recorded by Barry Manilow.
Johnston returned to the Beach Boys in 1978 and remained in the touring lineup until the final performance in January.
Mike Love praised Johnston’s decades-long contributions to the iconic band.
“Bruce Johnston is one of the greatest songwriters, vocalists and keyboardists of our time,” Love said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “We have had the honor of his performance and participation in the Beach Boys over the years. Life always promises change. Today, we are in a chapter of change, but not the end.”
“Bruce is shifting his focus to what he does best: songwriting and recording,” Love added. “Personally, I’m looking forward to collaborating with Bruce in the studio in the near future. I’m a big supporter of Bruce and I’m sure he’ll create some great music.”
Meanwhile, new voices are joining the touring lineup.
Chris Kron, frontman for Beach Boys tribute act Pet Sounds Live, began playing with the band after appearing on shows in late February.
The Beach Boys were originally formed in the early 1960s by brothers Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, along with their cousin Love and friend Al Jardine. Over the decades, the band became one of the most successful bands in music history, selling over 100 million records worldwide and leaving a lasting mark on American pop and rock.
