Bruce Johnston leaves the Beach Boys after 60 years

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Bruce Johnston, a six-decade member of the Beach Boys’ live band, announced he will step away from the group.The 82-year-old Johnston told Rolling Stone that “It’s time for part three of my lengthy musical career! 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.” Music A new box set, ‘We Gotta Groove,’ looks back at the work the Beach Boys created at Brother studio in 1976 and ’77.The Beach Boys’ Mike Love also said in a statement that “Bruce Johnston is one of the greatest songwriters, vocalists, and keyboardists 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.”Johnston originally joined the group in 1965, filling in as a live vocalist in place of frontman Brian Wilson, and earning a vocal credit on “California Girls.” He left the band in 1972 to pursue solo work, and penned Barry Manilow’s hit “I Write The Songs.” Music The Beach Boys’ co-founder talks to The Times about his longtime former bandmate who helped shape the culture of SoCal music.Johnston returned to the Beach Boys in 1978, and continued to tour as the only member besides Love from the band’s original era.He also wrote several songs for the group, including “Disney Girls (1957),” “Deirdre” and “Tears in the Morning.” Johnston will be replaced by Chris Cron, vocalist for the Beach Boys tribute band Pet Sounds Live.After Wilson’s death last year, Beach Boys fans still have several occasions to hear the catalog live.

Love’s long-running edition of the Beach Boys will play three nights at the Hollywood Bowl over July 4 weekend (which Johnston said he’ll sit in on).Founding member Al Jardine is touring w...