California Music
| California Music | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Years active | 1974–1976 |
| Labels | Equinox |
| Associated acts | The Beach Boys, Bruce & Terry, the Rip Chords, Sagittarius |
| Past members | |
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.
The group was conceived by then-former Beach Boy Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher. 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.
Wilson was involved with their covers of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" and "Jamaica Farewell", acting as co-producer, instrumentalist, and backing vocalist. 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." 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.
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." 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. 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." 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."
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