The Beach Boys play without any original members for first time - The Independent

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The Beach Boys have cancelled a string of live dates amid ongoing concern over founding member Mike Love’s health.

However, the band fulfilled a booking at Disney’s Epcot Center in Florida on Wednesday with guest frontman John Stamos, with the remaining musicians rechristened as John Stamos and the California Sound.

As Rolling Stone reports, Stamos told the crowd: “We want to send some love to our dear friend Mike Love. He can’t be with us tonight, but we’re sending him lots of love and good vibes from Florida tonight. He’d be so proud. I can’t think of a better way to send him love than with a little California Sound.”

Their set included Beach Boys songs “California Girls,” “Kokomo,” “Forever,” and “Fun, Fun, Fun,” along with covers including Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds” and the Surfaris’ “Wipe Out.”

The Beach Boys have cancelled all their upcoming shows for 2026, and have just one remaining live date on their calendar: a show at River Cree Resort and Casino in Enoch, Alberta, on May 8, 2027.

Last month, Stamos shared an emotional message regarding the health of Love, his longtime friend.

A frail-looking Love took the stage for shows in Cincinnati and Nashville, and Stamos wrote in an Instagram post that Love insisted on being there despite his health problems.

“I’m boarding a plane to Nashville to play with the Beach Boys at the Ryman Auditorium, struggling to put my feelings into words,” Stamos wrote in the post. “My beloved friend, father figure, musical hero and mentor, Mike Love, is facing serious health challenges. We hope he’ll be doing what he loves for years to come, but we don’t know what the future holds. We have tonight.”

“Mike is a fighter. Despite doctors, family and friends urging him to focus on his health, he insists on being on stage. He says he needs his band, the audience, his friends and drummer surrounding him to lift him up,” he continued.

Stamos added that he has played music with Love for 41 years. “I never imagined how deeply it would affect me to see someone larger than life face something so human and fragile,” he wrote.

“The Mike Love we see tonight may not be exactly the Mike we’ve always known. But he’s still every bit the Mike we love. His lyrics, optimism, unforgettable hooks, and more than 7,000 concerts have brought joy to generations. What he’s given me personally is immeasurable,” Stamos said.

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