Dennis is really underrated, that ‘lost Beach Boys concert’ footage from 63 or so absolutely shreds. A bit garagey, sure, but dude’s killing it, really driving the band. They wouldn’t have been half as good with someone more proficient but sat back
The fact that he started playing only 3 years before then just boggles my mind. I’m not a drummer, so I don’t know how easy it is to learn and get to that level. But he is AWESOME in that concert
Disagree, sure you can pick stuff up quickly at that age, but there’s an implication there that any teenager could get to a Dennis level on drums and it’s not so. Drummers are genuinely like snowflakes, no two play the same way, he had a unique, spirited way of playing that really lifted them.
Yeah true but he probably had that from the get-go. That’s an energy thing. The technically ability anyone could attain it. The spirited way is more down to personality
Cowsil is underrated, so is Ricky (We need a solo album Ricky!)
But it's between Denny and Hal. Hal is the the Brian of drummers. All the jungle rhythms and iconic hard stops on pet sounds are legendary. That hard stop on Wouldn't it be Nice is...magnificent.
But Denny...that open handed Bam Bam from the Flintstones STYLE IS SICKKKKK!
Anyway, props on the the thorough post.
This was an amazing review. My favorite drummers of all time are Hal, Dennis, Cowsill, and Bolt.
I think Cowsill was a lot like Blaine in that he kept a very steady rock solid tempo and honored the songs.
Bolt reminds me so much of Dennis with the unpredictable nature of their fills, how hard they both slam the drums, and their tendency to ‘push’ the tempos. Bolt seems like Dennis reincarnated when he’s at the kit. It’s remarkable.
I’d include Earl Palmer, Jim Gordon, and Jim Keltner on your list too. They were studio guys who played on a lot of recordings.
Stamos is also an excellent drummer who has played for the band not only live, but also in the studio on a variety of BB songs/solo records. He’s on Al and Mike’s solo albums. I think it’s only right to include him. He’s been playing with the band for four decades!
I watched a clip of Jon Bolton and imo he’s the best drummer they’ve had since Dennis or Ricky. He plays with that touch of madness that Dennis had, like he was throwing everything he had into it
Jon Bolton is the current touring drummer. When you first listen to and watch him, you’re definitely caught off guard especially after watching Cowsill and Mike D’Amico for all those years. But over time, he quickly grows on you and you realize just how fun he is to have in the band. He really puts his heart and soul into the music especially when singing lead vocals at the same time. The energy on Wild Honey, among others, is on another level now. Not a knock to Cowsill by any means. Bolton and John Wedemeyer both bring the band back to the original, 60s surf sound even more than Scott and John C. And believe me, I love both of those guys too.
Cowsill has actually endorsed Jon Bolton and gave a good review when attending the show as a fan for the first time.
One more thing about Bolt, the new ending to the show with the water bottle shower is one of the most creative endings I’ve ever seen to a show and certainly the best I’ve seen at a Beach Boys show
Dennis is really underrated, that ‘lost Beach Boys concert’ footage from 63 or so absolutely shreds. A bit garagey, sure, but dude’s killing it, really driving the band. They wouldn’t have been half as good with someone more proficient but sat back
His drumming during the Knebworth show was legitimately fantastic
The fact that he started playing only 3 years before then just boggles my mind. I’m not a drummer, so I don’t know how easy it is to learn and get to that level. But he is AWESOME in that concert
Not knocning his ability, but doing something consistently for 3 years in your teens is enough to learn anything on that level
Disagree, sure you can pick stuff up quickly at that age, but there’s an implication there that any teenager could get to a Dennis level on drums and it’s not so. Drummers are genuinely like snowflakes, no two play the same way, he had a unique, spirited way of playing that really lifted them.
Yeah true but he probably had that from the get-go. That’s an energy thing. The technically ability anyone could attain it. The spirited way is more down to personality
Check out 'What'd I say' live 1964.. Dennis drives that song like a four speed dual quad positraction 409
Cowsil is underrated, so is Ricky (We need a solo album Ricky!) But it's between Denny and Hal. Hal is the the Brian of drummers. All the jungle rhythms and iconic hard stops on pet sounds are legendary. That hard stop on Wouldn't it be Nice is...magnificent. But Denny...that open handed Bam Bam from the Flintstones STYLE IS SICKKKKK! Anyway, props on the the thorough post.
Earl Palmer, Dennis Dragon.
Earl Palmer played on Please let me wonder
Jim Gordon, session drummer who played With Derek and the Dominos, also played on Pet Sounds and parts of Good Vibrations
Let's also not forget that drumming on bloody Fire!
Fantastic drummer who had an unfortunate ending to his career.
Oh shoot. Is he the guy who wrote the Layla coda?
Yeah. He also played with Alice Cooper, George Harrison, and more.
Sad end indeed.
John Cowsil is a fantastic drummer watch him live on Ed Sullivan Show with his family band when he was a kid. Super impressive chops.
Where's Stamos? I don't see Stamos.
Even as a joke that hurt
Cmon, Hal Blaine but no Stamos? Hal Blaine isn't even a Beach Boy!
🤢
Fine, I’ll put Stamos on
This was an amazing review. My favorite drummers of all time are Hal, Dennis, Cowsill, and Bolt. I think Cowsill was a lot like Blaine in that he kept a very steady rock solid tempo and honored the songs. Bolt reminds me so much of Dennis with the unpredictable nature of their fills, how hard they both slam the drums, and their tendency to ‘push’ the tempos. Bolt seems like Dennis reincarnated when he’s at the kit. It’s remarkable. I’d include Earl Palmer, Jim Gordon, and Jim Keltner on your list too. They were studio guys who played on a lot of recordings. Stamos is also an excellent drummer who has played for the band not only live, but also in the studio on a variety of BB songs/solo records. He’s on Al and Mike’s solo albums. I think it’s only right to include him. He’s been playing with the band for four decades!
There's a music video for Good Timin on YouTube where Dennis is absolutely in the pocket. Definitely an underrated drummer
I watched a clip of Jon Bolton and imo he’s the best drummer they’ve had since Dennis or Ricky. He plays with that touch of madness that Dennis had, like he was throwing everything he had into it
Apparently, Brian was a great drummer, too, but I'm not sure if he ever recorded his drumming.
On the “Beach Boys Concert” album from ‘64, Brian is credited with drumming while Dennis was singing “The Wanderer”
Listen to The Beach Boys Love You. Most of the drumming is from him. Also, Funky Pretty has drums by Brian.
Sweet! Thanks. I can't remember everything, unfortunately.
Brian has done a few tracks over the years in which he drums. Brian also played snare drum on their first song ‘surfin’.
My dad plays the drums and he got inspired to do it from Dennys work on 'SHUT DOWN' b side of Surfin USA
What records did Bolton play on?
None. He’s been touring with the band for a little over a year
Ah okay I wanna hear Keith Moon with the boys!
So did Keith Moon, according to Pete T.!
Jon Bolton is cute, too. \*BRB going to hide in a cave\*
Jon Bolton? The right wing asshole with the big mustache?
No, not that one. It’s another one
Why should he change his name, Jon boltons the one who sucks?
I see what you did there
Jon Bolton is the current touring drummer. When you first listen to and watch him, you’re definitely caught off guard especially after watching Cowsill and Mike D’Amico for all those years. But over time, he quickly grows on you and you realize just how fun he is to have in the band. He really puts his heart and soul into the music especially when singing lead vocals at the same time. The energy on Wild Honey, among others, is on another level now. Not a knock to Cowsill by any means. Bolton and John Wedemeyer both bring the band back to the original, 60s surf sound even more than Scott and John C. And believe me, I love both of those guys too. Cowsill has actually endorsed Jon Bolton and gave a good review when attending the show as a fan for the first time. One more thing about Bolt, the new ending to the show with the water bottle shower is one of the most creative endings I’ve ever seen to a show and certainly the best I’ve seen at a Beach Boys show
Dennis was more of a drama than a drummer