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Chris Willman
Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic
ChrisWillman See All
Variety When the Beach Boys played Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium Sunday night, no major announcements were made from the stage, but the sense of import for fans on hand was palpable, with many believing they might be witnessing Mike Love‘s last show leading the touring edition of the group.
That wasn’t just outside conjecture, but something that came from as close to the inside of the Beach Boys organization as it gets — from John Stamos, who has appeared with the group on and off for 41 years, and who in the hours before the show strongly hinted that the Nashville concert could mark the end of the road for his friend.
Stamos wrote as part of a nearly 1,200-word message on Facebook Sunday: “(W)hile I always knew there would eventually come a day when things would change, I never really allowed myself to imagine what that day would feel like. I’m not saying tonight is the end. God, I hope it isn’t. But there’s a part of me that wonders if this could be the last time I get to stand behind Mike, play those songs, watch him work an audience, and feel that indescribable magic that happens when those harmonies fill a room.”
While Stamos’ statement strongly set up the notion that this could be Love’s final night as a performing Beach Boy, his “I hope it isn’t” addendum to that also established that there would be no formal declaration forthcoming along those lines on the Ryman stage — even though there were rumors circulating in Nashville that it had already been decided that this would be the swan song.
When Sunday’s show began about a half-hour past the ticketed time, Stamos and Love’s son, Christian Love, who also performs with the band, appeared in front of the Ryman’s curtain to offer short speeches, setting the stage for what fans were about to see.
“One thing about him is he’s stubborn and he’s steadfast, and he did not want to miss the Ryman,” said Christian Love. “I mean, for good reason. Look at this place. So we are happy. We’re gonna be positive. We’re gonna sing along. But I remember something he told me when I was a child, and it stuck with me. I said, ‘Dad, why do you do so many shows?’ I mean, we’re talking about a guy who’s done over 100 concerts a year well up into his 80s. That’s just incredible, right? So he told me, ‘Well, if you don’t do as many concerts, you don’t see as many towns, and then that means less people get to hear the amazing Beach Boys personally.’ So he’s always cared for the small towns, the fairs… This is obviously a much more well-known, beautiful venue. But he cares about the listener, and I think it’s such an honor to be part of that. And we’ve gotta live in the moment.”
Stamos added, “All we have is tonight, really, and I think it’s gonna be very, very special. Mike, he insisted on being here… He’s done over 7,000 live shows. And tonight’ll be 7,422, I think exactly. I think that’s where we’re at. He’s counting… We love you, and have the greatest night ever, and God bless you all.”
The traditional historical video that usually opens modern-day Beach Boys followed, and then the curtains opened to reveal Love already in place in his seat, with the band ready to embark upon the long-time show opener, “Do It Again”… albeit not with Love on lead vocals. For the rest of the show, Love sat in place, singing along but ceding his usual lead vocals and master of ceremonies roles to others. He spoke briefly to the crowd, saying he had “been going through health challenges, but I had to make it to the Ryman.”
At the close of the show, Queen’s “We Are the Champions” came over the loudspeakers. Stamos and Christian Love helped Mike to his feet, and then, on either side of him, held his arms aloft in the air in a triumphant pose, until the curtains closed in front of them.
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