Jeffrey Foskett | |
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Foskett in 2012
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Background information | |
Born | February 17, 1956 |
Genres | Rock, pop |
Occupation(s) | vocalist, guitarist, arranger, producer |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin |
Years active | 1970–present |
Labels | Capitol |
Associated acts | The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson |
Website | www |
Notable instruments | |
Italia JF-12 Gibson ES-355 Gibson ES-335 Epiphone Sheraton |
Jeffrey "Jeff" Foskett is an American singer, record producer, arranger and guitarist best known for his work with Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. Foskett is described as The Beach Boys' "vice principal" by its core members.
Born and raised in San Jose, California, Foskett began his first band in the 1970s known as Cherry, after the Willow Glen area street on which he lived. Foskett played mostly surf music covers in the same market as Papa Doo Run Run, with whom Foskett would join forces later. In the late 1970s, Foskett formed two renowned bands: The Reverie Rhythm Rockers (aka Reverie) and The Pranks in Santa Barbara, California, gigging throughout the area with fellow area bands like D. B. Cooper. The band held a house residency at The Troubadore Nightclub in Hollywood Mondays performing with The Mentors, The Cretones, The Police and 20/20.
In late 1979, Mike Love stopped by the famous Santa Barbara restaurant "1129" where Reverie was the house band. Love listened to Foskett and hired Reverie as the original incarnation of The Endless Summer Beach Band. The band toured with Love through 1981 when Foskett replaced Carl Wilson who briefly left the Beach Boys to pursue a solo career. When Wilson rejoined the Beach Boys in May 1982, Foskett was asked to stay to perform the falsetto parts, which he did on and off until 1991.
In 2012, Foskett joined The Beach Boys, on their 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour and subsequently recorded the studio album, That's Why God Made the Radio, alongside the band, performing all of the falsetto vocal parts as well as other vocals on the record. Regarding his role in the reunion, Al Jardine stated, "Jeffrey is invaluable to keeping the continuity between the various component parts. He supports Brian in every possible way. He has Brian's confidence, and basically kind of makes it possible to have Brian Wilson on the road with us. [Without] that shoulder to lean on, I think it would be very difficult for Brian to tour. And I'm very grateful for that." On the tour he provided lead vocals on "Don't Worry Baby", "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" as well as singing all of the falsetto vocals.