--- In audities@yahoogroups.com, "John L. Micek" wrote: > On the 20th anniversary of his death in The Observer's Music Monthly supplement: > > He was the face of Sixties California, an enthusiast for free love and fast living - and the only member of the Beach Boys who could actually surf. But away from the life of excess that epitomised a decade - the drugs, the friendship with Manson, the houseful of naked women - drummer Dennis Wilson had a dazzling musical vision to match that of his brother Brian. And when he drowned, 20 years ago this month, he left behind one neglected, classic solo album. Adam Webb meets those who knew him best > > http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,13887,1103842,00.html > > > There's some really fine writing here. > john. Thank you very much for posting this, John! It is a great article! Two Saturdays ago I had the pleasure of attending the "Denny Bash", which celebrated Dennis on the 20th anniversary of his death. It was held at Chez Jay's in Santa Monica, the bar that Dennis frequented during the last few months of his life. Many of the people who were interviewed for the article were in attendance, like Alan Boyd (who co-produced the recent TV documentary "The Beach Boys: An American Family"), Jon Stebbins (who organized the event, and wrote the fine book "Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy"), and Steve Kalinich, (who co-wrote lyrics to several tunes Dennis did with The Beach Boys and on his solo album, "Pacific Ocean Blue). Steve Kalinich was great; such a humble, genuine guy who would introduce my girlfriend Rina and me to anyone who passed by. Also in attendance were a group called The Beach Toys, who regailed everyone with renditions of early Beach Boys tunes, The Honeys (featuring Brian's ex-Marilyn, her sister Diane, and cousin Ginger Blake; Brian wrote and produced several tunes for them in the 60s, which you can find on the recent Honeys collection on Collector's Choice) a couple of Dennis' ex wives, and several of his children, one of which looked like the spit and image of a young Dennis-I think it might have been his youngest son, Gage, who he fathered with the illegitimate daughter of Mike Love. Speaking of Mike Love, while I abhor most of his antics from the past 20 years, I can't agree with most Beach Boys fans and Mike Love haters who continually bash his Beach Boys input (which I noticed in the article, and hear all the time, anyway). The man is loathsome and reprehensible, but he did write and sing some great songs with the band, including tunes on the late '70s/early '80s albums. Plus, like him or not, he was the only member of the band who was emotionally and socially equipped to take the lead role on stage, and their live performances are a vital part of the band's history. -- Pop Rules!!!!! Take Care, David (n.p. The Bangles-Doll Revolution, which will certainly make my Top 10 this year)