Co-founding Beach Boys member Al Jardine has just released a new solo song, “Wish,” in conjunction with his 82nd birthday on September 3. Jardine began writing the nostalgic ballad in the 1990s with his longtime songwriting partner Larry Dvoskin as a tribute to two of his Beach Boys bandmates, the late Dennis Wilson and Brian Wilson, the latter of whom was estranged from the other members of the group at the time.
According to a new Rolling Stone interview, Al decided to revisit “Wish” in May 2024 and finally finished the track. It’s available now on all major streaming services. In the song, Jardine sings of missing a loved one and wishing things could be as they once were.
[RELATED: Beach Boys Mike Love & Al Jardine Share Heartfelt Condolences Following the Death of Brian Wilson’s Wife]
Recalling his frame of mind when he began writing “Wish,” Jardine explained, “It just dawned on me how much I missed [Dennis and Brian]. … Dennis, of course, had passed, and Brian was pretty much out of the action. I felt very emotional.”
With the surviving original Beach Boys all in their eighties, and Brian battling some serious health issues, Jardine told Rolling Stone that he feels the song’s theme is quite timely today.
“It’s a good message because right now we’re all wishing that things were the way they used to be, especially at our age,” he noted. Al added, “[O]ur memories are wonderful, our musical memories are intact, and it’s just important to finish these great songs that we’ve written.”
More About “Wish,” Plans for a New Solo Album
“Wish” features Jardine on lead vocals and bass, Dvoskin on harmony vocals, piano, and synthesizer, and Taylor Simpson on drums. Part of the proceeds raised by the song will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and MusiCares.
Jardine told Rolling Stone that he’s hoping to include “Wish” on his next solo album, a long-awaited follow-up to his star-studded 2010 studio effort, A Postcard from California.
“This song is kind of like the appetizer,” Al shared. “I’m actually working on a lot of unfinished tunes that are pretty close to being done. They come from all different backgrounds and fields of my musical endeavors over the years. My hope is to get a vinyl out for Record Store Day.”
Hoping to Play Shows with Brian Wilson’s Band Again
In recent years, Jardine has been touring with Brian Wilson’s band, as well as performing with his own solo group. Wilson, though, has not toured since 2022, and he recently was placed under a conservatorship after being diagnosed with “a major neurocognitive disorder.”
Jardine revealed to Rolling Stone that he’s planning to tour again with Wilson’s band, albeit without Brian on most dates.
“Brian has agreed to allow me to use the name of his band to resurrect that incredible Brian band that we worked with so wonderfully for the last 20 or 30 years,” he explained. “I’m looking forward to meeting up with him shortly and working out a schedule to do a couple of benefit concerts that we can do in L.A., and then maybe kick off an actual tour from there maybe early next year.”
With regard to Wilson’s participation in the trek, Al noted, “Brian just isn’t physically in shape to join us. But he’s a strong individual and he’s got stamina. It wouldn’t surprise me if he could make a few of the shows in the Los Angeles area where we intend to do a trial performance.”
Jardine also reported that he’d like to add a video presentation to the performances, something Wilson’s shows hadn’t previously featured.
“I think that dimension would really improve the quality of the show,” he said. “I’ll also tell stories to inform the audience about how the music was made essentially. It could be a lot of fun.”
Whether He Might Tour Again with Fellow Beach Boy Mike Love
The current Beach Boys lineup has long been led by founding singer Mike Love and longtime member Bruce Johnston. All of the surviving band members reunited for a 50th anniversary tour in 2012, but Jardine told Rolling Stone he has no current plans to team up with Love again.
“I’ve got my hands full,” Jardine maintained. “If we’re going to get this Brian Wilson Band going again, I’m going to be pretty busy.”
Jardine and Love have had a contentious, and sometimes litigious, relationship over the years, but Al told Rolling Stone that they’re currently getting along OK.
“Despite the legal crap and everything that went down over the years, we can still talk,” he said. “Well, he’s a little hard of hearing now. I’m not quite sure if he hears anything I’m telling him, but we still have that common denominator between us. It works out.”
Most Popular
Comments / 0