I thought it was Dennis Wilson but it turned out to be Hal Blaine!

True they were both great bands , and I never meant to contribute to a silly debate It just makes no sense to me how or why anyone would prefer ringo over dennis when we all know they were both decent drummers, neither had any ability over the other,,,

So I was thinking about this and while you and I are vastly different ages, we both came into these artists after the fact and really we have no frame of reference as to how these artists impacted one another or the general public at the time. In my case, I grew up in the 70's so the Beatles sounded a little dated to me as a teenager and frankly the Beach Boys just sounded like kind of schmaltzy pop (Barbara Anne, Help Me Rhonda, Little Duce Coupe) to me. I dismissed both of them. I eventually started seriously paying attention to the Beatles and I began to understand their genius and it truly was genius. I still paid no attention whatsoever to the Beach Boys as I found them somewhat annoying.

It wasn't until the early 80's when I was recording an album with an artist that was personally a friend of Brian Wilson and was covering "I Know There's an Answer" that I had even heard of Pet Sounds. This artist went on to tell me lots of stories about the impact of that album and the somewhat tortured brilliance of Brian Wilson. I really had no idea.

I still have not really latched onto the Beach Boys, but I do "get it". Their music just doesn't really speak to me. In your case, you identified with the Beach Boys instead when looking back at historical music. Neither of us truly have a frame of reference for what that music truly meant at the time it was recorded. For example, Wilson's vocal arrangements were very unique, but to a student of the 70's I was aware of some really interesting vocal arrangements by groups like Yes and a variety of other artists that I found far more appealing so it seemed to me like the Beach Boys arrangements were not that impressive. The fact is, that is looking at it backwards as none of that music existed prior to the Beach Boys. That is what I mean by not really having a good sense of perspective regardless of how well we research music history.

So it is all just a preference in how we have viewed historical music. No harm no foul. Everyone gets to love what they love. That is the beauty of music specifically and art in general. What you really can never do is quantify it as to which artist was "better" which drummer was "better" etc. At the end of the day it never matters. For what it is worth, "God Only Knows" is stuck in my head. Love the melody and think it is pretty magical, but really don't care for that little two bar staccato figure that gets stuck in there. Again, lack of historical perspective on my part. At the time it probably made the song unique, creative and possibly ground breaking. To me 40+ years later it just seems a little self indulgent. Again just personal preference and taste. I really appreciate the fact that you are interested in pop music history and drum history for that matter.

"God Only Knows" ,is just one haunting BB tune,that will stick in your head.Listen to "Till I Die,from the Surfs Up album,or "In my Room".But as I type this,the entire Sgt.Pepper or Abbey Road albums are also taking up hard drive memorey in my brain....:)

Steve B

Hal Blaine is the drummer on Pet Sounds, and yes, Brian Wilson is a genius, which is why he wanted Hal Blaine and not Dennis. I do not deny Dennis' ability, and Hal Blaine never played on a Beatles record. Last thing, go to youtube and search "Beatles Drum Covers" then do the same for The Beach Boys...Ringos influence, which continues today, is far greater than Dennis. Truth be told, Hal Blaine was probably a bigger influence on me growing up than either Ringo or Dennis. AM top 40 music was full of Hal Blaines drumming througout out the 60's and early 70's

I saw a quote once Hal blaine was my 5 most favorite drummers of the 60's and early 70's.

I came across the BBs and beatles at the same time and the BBs immediatly blew my mind, esp good vibrations,,,,the beatles on the otherhand were good and I dig the 64-66 era mostly rubber soul but the subpar harmonies and so-so catchiness never matched up to the infectious flawless harmony of the BBs, same went for the 4 seasons and jan&dean, they got my attention over the beatles too, I jus never bought into hype, thats why I could never get into zeppelin and the other typical groups that the average schmuck grasps onto as definitive classic rock/ doesnt mean I undermine em I just dig more under the surface. Rolling stone mag and mtv did so much damage to pop culture but its a heardlike mentality, typical of those afraid to read between the lines, but that kinda talk makes one dismissed as a 'troll' when others are afraid to admit it.

Keep stirrin' the pot! Laughing H

I think the pot is kinda` burnt out on this one,but who am i to say...have at it guys.

Wayne

Well I tried.... I recall being in my twenties when I thought I knew everything. Spent my thirties apologizing to everyone I offended earlier.