Beach Boys Member Bruce Johnston Leaves Touring Band After 61 Years

"This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you soon," Johnston tells Rolling Stone. "I am forever grateful to be a part of the Beach Boys musical legacy" Exclusive Beach Boys Member Bruce Johnston Leaves Touring Band After 61 Years "This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you soon," Johnston tells Rolling Stone. "I am forever grateful to be a part of the Beach Boys musical legacy" By Andy Greene Andy Greene Ann and Nancy Wilson Recall Heart’s 1970s Implosion: ‘Emotional Toll Just Kind of Ate Us’ The Guess Who Announce Extensive United States Reunion Tour The Brains Behind Carnegie Hall’s ‘Best Of’ Series Has His Sights Set on Billy Joel View all posts by Andy Greene March 4, 2026 Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys performs during Riot Fest at Douglass Park on September 20, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images Beach Boys member Bruce Johnston — who joined the group in 1965 when Brian Wilson stepped away from the road to focus on studio work — is leaving the touring unit after serving the better part of six decades, and performing somewhere in the ballpark of 6,000 concerts. This leaves Mike Love as the last classic-era member still in the road band. “It’s time for Part Three of my lengthy musical career!” Johnston tells Rolling Stone in an exclusive statement. “I can write songs forever and wait until you hear what’s coming!!! As my major talent beyond singing is songwriting, now is the time to get serious again. In addition, I’m currently working on developing a speaking-engagement chapter of my career — inspired in part by Cary Grant, who long ago made a similar move after his movie career. With a ton of help designing what I speak about from John Stamos, I’ll be doing appearances and events of my own. I might even sing ‘Disney Girls’ & ‘I Write The Songs!!’ “I am excited to join the Beach Boys for performances on special occasions and will see everyone at The Hollywood Bowl as we celebrate our Nation’s 250th Birthday!!” he continues. “This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you soon. I am forever grateful to be a part of the Beach Boys musical legacy.” Mike Love shared his own statement with Rolling Stone: “Bruce Johnson is one of the greatest songwriters, vocalist, and keyboardist of our time. We’ve had the honor of his performance and participation for many many years with the Beach Boys. Change is always promised in life, today we find ourselves in a chapter of change, but not an end. Bruce shifts his focus on what he does so well which is songwriting and recording. I personally look forward to collaborating in the studio with Bruce in the very near future. I am very supportive of Bruce and I have every confidence that he will produce great music. I am delighted that Bruce will join the band on special occasions and when his schedule permits including The Hollywood Bowl performances celebrating the 250th Birthday of our great nation. I love & respect Bruce Johnston.” Editor’s picks The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century For the past 28 years, with the notable exception of the 2012 reunion tour, Johnston has been the only OG member of the band to tour with Love in the Beach Boys. He also wrote several Beach Boys songs, including “Disney Girls,” “Deirdre,” and “Tears in the Morning.” Johnston briefly left the group in 1972 to pursue outside projects, and during that time, he wrote the Barry Manilow smash hit “I Write The Songs.” But he came back to the Beach Boys in 1978, and stuck around until playing his final gig with them in January of this year. Taking his place in the band is Chris Cron, a supremely gifted vocalist who fronts the Beach Boys tribute act Pet Sounds Live. As you can see from the above video, he’s able to recreate vintage Beach Boys vocal parts with stunning precision. He began quietly sitting in with the Beach Boys in late February, though he still has shows booked with Pet Sounds Live when the Beach Boys are inactive. Trending Stories Dems React to Classified Briefing on Iran: ‘It Is So Much Worse Than You Thought’