Jerry Herman
American composer and lyricist (1931-2019)
Bruce Johnston is an American singer, musician, and songwriter who is a member of the Beach Boys. He has collaborated with other artists and even composed the hit song “I Write the Songs” for Barry Manilow. Johnston had a varied career, starting as a staff producer at Columbia Records and later joining the Beach Boys as a vocalist and contributing original material to their albums.
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About the Bruce Johnston
Bruce Arthur Johnstonis an American singer, musician, and songwriter who is a member of the Beach Boys. He also collaborated on many records with Terry Melcherand composed the 1975 Barry Manilow hit, “I Write the Songs”.
Born in Illinois, Johnston grew up in Los Angeles and studied classical piano in his early years. While in high school, he arranged and played on his first hit record, Sandy Nelson’s “Teen Beat”(1979). Since then, he has continued to tour as a member of the band.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bruce Johnston is an American singer, musician, and songwriter who is a member of the Beach Boys.
Bruce Johnston grew up in Los Angeles and studied classical piano in his early years. He started his career as a staff producer at Columbia Records and was a member of the surf band the Gamblers before joining the Beach Boys.
Bruce Johnston joined the Beach Boys in 1965, initially filling in for co-founder Brian Wilson. He contributed original material to the group’s albums and his first appearance on their records was as a vocalist on ,California Girls, in 1965.
Bruce Johnston collaborated with Terry Melcher on many records, and he also composed the 1975 Barry Manilow hit, ,I Write the Songs,.
After leaving the Beach Boys in 1972, Bruce Johnston embarked on a solo career and released one solo album, ,Going Public,, in 1977. He later rejoined the Beach Boys in 1978 to co-produce their album ,L.A. (Light Album), and has continued to tour with the band since then.
Bruce Johnston has had a long and successful career in the music industry, contributing as a singer, songwriter, and producer. His work with the Beach Boys and other artists has made him a respected figure in the industry.
Bruce Johnston composed the 1975 Barry Manilow hit, ,I Write the Songs,, which became a signature song for Manilow and a popular staple in the music industry.
24 Quotes by Bruce Johnston
- 1.
But, you know again, getting back to what a group like ours might represent – the cleanliness thing.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 2.
You know, The Beach Boys’ image is kinda like a group Doris Day, you know what I mean?
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 3.
Carl, Dennis and Brian are brothers, and Mike Love’s a cousin.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 4.
I never could get into The Chambers Brothers. They make good records, but I never could get behind it.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 5.
I mean it shouldn’t hang you up emotionally if your record fails.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 6.
Of course The Beach Boys will be camp.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 7.
Sometimes one of us might be missing because we might be away or something, but there’s always four or five.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 8.
I really dig the scene that’s happening now, I really do, because there might be a lot of bad things going on, but if out of all of those bad things ten per cent of the groovy part of it stays, wow… you can’t beat that.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 9.
Well, a lot of our concerts do okay, and I know we still get royalty checks which still isn’t that important, but again, I have to just say that we’re making our records.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 10.
We’re not trying to top ourselves with each record, obviously.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 11.
I really dig The Byrds. I think they are the most underrated – in their original form – pop group.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 12.
You know, if I wrote the arrangements two years from now, they would probably be a lot slicker.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 13.
Records… a record just shouldn’t be that important.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 14.
Brian came back in on the road and Al stayed, but Al’s the original member of the group.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 15.
You know, Glen Campbell sang with the group right before I joined the group.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 16.
We’re just kinda surviving at a very comfortable level.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 17.
Before I joined The Beach Boys, I was working at Columbia Records as a producer, and saw The Byrds come in and do their first overdub before Terry even met them.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 18.
We try some really interesting things besides being outright commercial.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 19.
I’ve been with the group since 1965. I will be beginning my fifth year on April ninth this year.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 20.
Everybody can dig The Beatles, but why should everybody dig us?
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 21.
For us… you know, we’re not The Beatles.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 22.
We are a business, and you do a little of what you think’s right, pay your bills, and attract… a single record attracts attention to your concerts and your albums.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 23.
The group started getting bigger and bigger, so Al started replacing Brian on the road, and then finally there was a big flare-up with Dave Marks and he left the group.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician
- 24.
We’ve recorded over our voices once and double the harmonies, make them thick. The Four Freshmen do that.
Bruce JohnstonAmerican musician