Bruce Johnston
Also Known As: The Beach Boys
Biography: Bruce Arthur Johnston (born Benjamin Baldwin; June 27, 1942) is an American singer, musician and songwriter who is a member of the Beach Boys. He also collaborated on many records with Terry Melcher (his bandmate in Bruce & Terry, the Rip Chords, and California Music) and composed the 1975 Barry Manilow hit, "I Write the Songs". Born in Illinois, Johnston grew up in Los Angeles and studied classical piano in his early years. While in high school, he arranged and played on his first hit record, Sandy Nelson's "Teen Beat" (1959), and also worked with musicians such as Kim Fowley and Phil Spector. One of Johnston's first gigs was as a member of the surf band the Gamblers before becoming a staff producer at Columbia Records. In 1965, Johnston joined the Beach Boys for live performances, initially filling in for the group's co-founder Brian Wilson. Johnston's first appearance on the band's records was as a vocalist on "California Girls" (1965). He later contributed original material to the group's albums, including "The Nearest Faraway Place" on 20/20 (1969), "Tears in the Morning" and "Deirdre" on Sunflower (1970), and "Disney Girls (1957)" on Surf's Up (1971). Johnston left the Beach Boys in 1972 and subsequently embarked on a solo career. During this time, Johnston recorded one solo album, Going Public (1977), his latest to date. In late 1978, he rejoined the Beach Boys to co-produce the group's L.A. (Light Album) (1979). Since then, he has continued to tour as a member of the band. Born in Peoria, Illinois in 1942, he was adopted as child by William and Irene Johnston of Chicago and grew up in the wealthy Los Angeles neighborhoods of Brentwood and Bel-Air. His adoptive family is of Irish descent, with his grandparents hailing from Markethill, County Armagh. His adoptive father was president of the Owl Rexall Drug Company in Los Angeles after moving from Walgreens in Chicago. Johnston attended the private Bel Air Town and Country School (later renamed John Thomas Dye School) and the University of California, Los Angeles. He also studied classical piano in his early years, training at Interlochen Arts Camp as a youth. In high school, Johnston switched to contemporary music. He performed in a few "beginning" bands during this time and then moved on to working with young musicians such as Sandy Nelson, Kim Fowley, and Phil Spector. Soon, Johnston began backing people such as Ritchie Valens, the Everly Brothers, and Eddie Cochran. In 1959, while still in high school, Johnston arranged and played on his first hit record, "Teen Beat" by Sandy Nelson. The single reached the Billboard Top Ten. The same year, Johnston made his first single under his own name, "Take This Pearl" on Arwin Records (a record label owned by Doris Day) as part of the Bruce & Jerry duo (Jerry Cooper was a high school friend of Bruce's). The teenage Hot Rod film entitled "Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow" (1959), features the song "I Promise You" by Johnston and Judy Harriet. In 1960, Johnston started his record production career at Del-Fi Records, producing five singles and an album – Love You So – by Ron Holden (many of the album's eleven tracks were written or co-written by Johnston). ... Source: Article "Bruce Johnston" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Peoria, Illinois, USA
Adult: No
Birthday: June 27, 1942
Age: 82 years old
Gender: Male
Popularity:
Known For:
The Beach Boys - California Surfin
Overview:
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2004-01-01
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Deadman's Curve
Overview: Things were cool. Chicks were pretty. Waves were groovy. Cars had muscle. Jan and Dean rode their wave to the top of the pop charts. Then, in 1966, on their way to becoming rock and roll legends, they have to cope with a devastating car crash that leaves Jan brain-damaged and their dreams shattered.
Genres: Drama History TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-02-03
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Overview: A small town band makes it big, but loses track of their roots, as they get caught up into the big-time machinations of the music biz. Now, they must thwart a plot to destroy their home town. Built around the music of The Beatles, this musical uses some big name groups like Peter Frampton and Aerosmith.
Genres: Adventure Music Family Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-07-24
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A Grammy Salute to The Beach Boys
Overview: A special all-star tribute concert honoring the legacy of The Beach Boys.
Genres: Music Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-04-09
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The Beach Boys: An American Band
Overview: A biography of the American rock band The Beach Boys, with interviews, concert footage and clips from movies and television shows they appeared in.
Genres: Documentary History Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-11-22
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The Wrecking Crew
Overview: A celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew." a band that provided back-up instrumentals to such legendary recording artists as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, and Bing Crosby.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-03-11
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Jan & Dean: The Other Beach Boys
Overview: An in-depth look at the tumultuous career of Jan & Dean.
Genres: Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-07-12
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Cease to Exist
Overview: Explores the music motive to the Manson murders and uncovers Charles Manson's relationship with Beach Boys' drummer Dennis Wilson and record producer Terry Melcher.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2007-06-14
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Brian Wilson: Songwriter 1969-1982
Overview: With historical performances and classic recordings reassessed by a panel of esteemed experts, this documentary film provides a fantastic insight into this often overlooked part of Brian's career.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-01-01
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Brian Wilson: Songwriter 1962-1969
Overview: A documentary film in which the rich tapestry of music written and produced by this brilliant 20th century composer is investigated and reviewed.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-11-01
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The Beach Boys: 25 Years Together - A Celebration In Waikiki
Overview: Enjoy the Beach Boys in a 90 minute concert celebrating their 25 year anniversary with guest artists like Glen Campbell, Ray Charles, The Everly Brothers, Jeffery Osborne, Belinda Carlisle and Three Dog Night. The concert was recorded in December 1986 on the sunny Waikiki beach in Hawaii.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-03-13
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The Beach Boys: Nashville Sounds
Overview: Brian Wilson and the boys of summer add a pinch of down-home twang to their classic harmonies with the help of country music's finest. In this 1996 recording session for the album "Stars and Stripes," The Beach Boys rework 12 of their songs, including "409" (with Junior Brown), "The Warmth of the Sun" (with Willie Nelson), "In My Room" (with Tammy Wynette), "Don't Worry Baby" (with Lorrie Morgan), and "I Get Around" (with Sawyer Brown).
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1996-11-23
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Brian Wilson’s Imagination
Overview: This documentary includes footage from a Brian Wilson solo concert and documents the making of his 1998 album "Imagination".
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1998-08-24
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The Beach Boys
Overview: A celebration of the legendary band that revolutionized pop music, and the iconic, harmonious sound they created that personified the California dream, captivating fans for generations and generations to come.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-05-21
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The Beach Boys: Live In Paris, 1969
Overview: The Beach Boys live at the L’Olympia Bruno Coquatrix in Paris, France during their “20/20” tour on June 16, 1969.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1969-06-16
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The Beach Boys 20th Anniversary Special
Overview: A celebration of The Beach Boys' musical career.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-01-01
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Goin' Platinum Presents The Beach Boys
Overview: A look at the making of The Beach Boys' 24th studio album, "Keepin' the Summer Alive".
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-01-01
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The Beach Boys: Doin' It Again
Overview: The Beach Boys are America's most successful band. With 56 U.S. Top 100 hits, 36 Top Ten Hits, and 4 Number One singles, their impression on American pop culture is rivaled only by the band that considered them to be their sole competition, The Beatles. To mark the group’s 50th anniversary, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks gathered in 2012 for an emotional reunion to record their first album of new material in 20 years, to kick off a worldwide tour, and to reflect on their remarkable history.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2012-08-28
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Endless Syncopation: The Rising Fall of The Beach Boys and The California Myth
Overview: A Film by Andre Perkowski Made Out Of All The Other Beach Boys Films
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2012-01-02
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The Seeds: Pushin' Too Hard
Overview: Documentary about seminal garage-rock band, The Seeds, that uses vintage footage, rare photos, memorabilia and audio, plus fresh interviews with band members and associates as well as notable fans and observers, Pushin’ Too Hard relates the bizarre rage-to-riches-to-rags tale of the rock quartet who took Los Angeles by storm in the mid-60s.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-08-16
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The Beach Boys: Making Pet Sounds
Overview: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of ‘Pet Sounds,' Brian Wilson and surviving members of The Beach Boys (Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks) revisit the writing and recording of the landmark record that is consistently voted one of the top three influential albums of all time. Featuring exclusive interviews, classic archive and rare studio outtakes from the recording sessions.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2017-04-07
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The Beach Boys: A Celebration Concert
Overview: The Beach Boys perform live on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., July 4th, 1980. Originally aired on HBO.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-07-04
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The Beach Boys - Live in Concert 50th Anniversary
Overview: Live release from the American Pop legends containing 21 classic Beach Boys hits performed live in Phoenix AZ on the bands 2012 - 50th anniversary worldwide tour. This live performance features the surviving members of the band (Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston) aided by additional musicians who have played with various members of the band for years.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2012-11-19
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Classic Albums: The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Overview: Groundbreaking and ahead of its time, Pet Sounds — the 11th album by The Beach Boys — was a pioneering feat in production, sound, and songwriting…a work that continues to inspire musicians and fans to this day. The latest addition to acclaimed & award-winning Classic Albums series. gives fans a behind-the-scenes look at its creation.
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-11-19
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The Beach Boys: It's OK
Overview: A live performance from the Beach Boys, featuring their best known songs, including 'Help Me Rhonda' and 'Good Vibrations'.
Genres: Music Documentary TV Movie Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1976-08-05
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The Beach Boys: A Long Promised Road - Volume 1 & 2 - 1962-1971
Overview: Excellent quality collection of live clips from the Beach Boys, running from the period throughout the 60’s, covering the first decade of the bands career.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-05-13
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The Beach Boys: Wouldn't It Be Nice
Overview: The inside story of the Beach Boys from their formation in 1961 to the present day (2005).
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2005-01-09
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The Beach Boys Today
Overview: A road film with the Carl Wilson-led touring Beach Boys, filmed in 1992-93 and including in depth interviews with all band members.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1993-03-10
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The Beach Boys: Endless Harmony
Overview: These archetypal Southern Californians, who transmuted their experiences growing up in suburban Hawthorne into a potent teen iconography orbiting surfing, cars, and girls, tackle the underlying personal and cultural upheavals beneath their discography. Intelligently assembled with over 40 songs dispersed throughout, ENDLESS HARMONY works not just as a rockumentary but as an important historical document of American music.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-03-14
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The Beach Boys - Live at Knebworth
Overview: Recorded while promoting the album Keepin' the Summer Alive, Good Timin': Live at Knebworth England 1980 was first issued in the UK in 2002 and the following year in the US, both through the band's Brother Records imprint with independent distribution. A 2-disc variant of the album also exists, released in Germany, though it features the same material as the single-disc version. The album included an impromptu version of "Happy Birthday" sung by the band and audience for Brian, whose birthday was one day prior to the concert.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-01-02
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Disorderlies
Overview: As not-quite-orderlies who're downright Disorderlies, rap-music favorites The Fat Boys rule. Playing the freewheeling caretakers of the frail Dennison, they stir up a comedic culture clash in Palm Beach society that only proves laughter is the best medicine this side of a tax refund.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-08-14
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