California Music

California Music was a loosely organized American rock supergroup comprising Los Angeles-based studio musicians Bruce Johnston, Terry Melcher, Gary Usher, Curt Boettcher, and Brian Wilson.

This article is about the 1970s supergroup. For the music of California, see Music of California.
California Music
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Years active1974 (1974)–1976 (1976)
LabelsEquinox Records
Associated actsThe Beach Boys, Bruce & Terry, the Rip Chords, Sagittarius
Past members

Background
Wilson in 1976

The group was conceived by then-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]

Wilson was involved with their covers 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."[3] 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.[4]

Johnston explained "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."[3] The Beach Boys' recent Endless Summer compilation was selling extremely well, and the band—without Brian—was touring non-stop, making them the biggest live draw in the United States.[5] According to newly employed manager Stephen 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] This was at the behest of Brian's wife Marilyn, as Love continues, "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]

Brian, who had already grown tired of working with the Beach Boys, was then legally ousted from California Music in order to focus his undivided attention on the band, whom perceived the group as an excuse for Brian to relieve the burden of his growing drug expenses.[2] Later in the year, Brian became involved with therapist Eugene Landy who had a major role in keeping Brian from indulging in substance abuse with constant supervision.[6] With Brian gone, California Music immediately disintegrated.[2] He quickly began work on producing the Beach Boys' comeback album, 15 Big Ones (1976).

After the group dissolved, 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]

Discography
Singles

See also

References
  1. Howard 2004, p. 85.
  2. Carlin 2006, p. 198.
  3. Leaf 1978, p. 169.
  4. Howard 2004, p. 84.
  5. Carlin 2006, p. 205.
  6. Carlin 2006, pp. 198–9.

Sources
  • 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.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Howard, David N. (2004). Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings (1. ed.). Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Hal Leonard. ISBN 9780634055607.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Lambert, Philip (2007). Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: the Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius. Continuum. ISBN 978-0-8264-1876-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Leaf, David (1978). The Beach Boys and the California Myth. New York: Grosset & Dunlap. ISBN 978-0-448-14626-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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