The Beach Boys -- "God Only Knows" Live 1997 (Carl's Last Recorded Performance) 

Pure talent. 👍

I saw them in VA Beach around the same time. Carl was not as neatly dressed as usual. Did not look very good. Had to sit on a stool as you said. He certainly did give it all he had. I was fairly close up, and got a good view. I was amazed at how incredible he sounded. Did not know he was dying at the time. He is my favorite vocalist.

Mark Foster Did Carl still have his beard and his hair? He still sounds amazing.

I saw them in 3 times in 1997 at age 16. I knew Carl wouldn't return to touring, but I thought he would live. David Marks is the only surviving Beach Boy I have never seen live. Life/Fate ALWAYS interferes when I have a chance. You're right, Carl gave it his all that summer. I don't think of my final Carl show in a sad way. I try to remember all the fun I had. Truly the voice of an angel. I will not see Mike and Bruce unless David Marks play with them. I don't think it's right to call themselves The Beach Boys.

I saw the Beach Boys in Lewes DE that summer too. I noticed Carl sat on a stool, but at the time, I didn't know he was sick. It was the only time I've seen the Beach Boys live. We happened to be at the Delaware shore visiting family and they had some VIP passes, so it was a happy accident that I got to attend.

@@kingofallwhites Carl was wearing a hair piece at the end which his wife Gina had gotten made for him. I don’t think he ever lost his beard.

Carl was my friend, and I miss him terribly. We met the first time in 1971 backstage at DAR Constitution Hall in DC. His vocal talent was amazing. I will always remember our friendship. Flip Damon, Isle Royale Records recording artist.

people like you are responsible for Pet Sounds flopping and Smile not being finished in the 60s

OT Will what?

CARL had The touch of god

OT is a pure troll , F off dude. Chuck, you are spot on man.

@@PRIMO19 - What a bizarre retort, especially given the original post's sentiment.

So he smoked since 11? He died at 51

@@Jpw824 Yeah, apparently around 13. Different times

He quit in the early 80s. So smoked a bit over 20 years.

He lost his life but never lost his voice.

I saw Brian in concert just four days ago with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin. Al sounds like he's 20 years old. Brian had to be helped onto his piano seat onstage. He is having severe back problems again. He sang well for the first part of the show, but by the end, he was struggling to actually sing. Strange thing is, like you said, he HIT EVERY NOTE even when his singing was sub par. It must be the Beach Boys credo to at least hit the note! It is amazing.

@@tomshaw6373 It is too sad that he is forced to contunue touring. He is 80 years old let alone, and people still use him as a chance to fill their pockets.

Carl was the heart and soul of the group. May be rest in peace.

I was at that show 2nd row right in front of Carl

His last concert

I believe the last show was August 29.

@@NorthernExposureSlots It was.

Trouper! In fact, Super Trouper! steve

You spelt Brian wrong

The three Wilson brothers were the best part

@@_batthew_5324 IDK, Dennis didn't do much. Love the guy but, c'mon.

Brian was the Brain Carl was the Soul

@@billydeewilliams9104 Blasphemy! Dennis was a genius in his own right. Just you listen to his solo album "Pacific Ocean Blue" and his work on Sunflower and Friends.

And also R.I.P. to Mike Meros, on the far right.

Sky, I've seen you post on Carl's videos before. I'm another Carl Dean fan! Dennis lived them, Brian wrote them, and Carl sang them. At least, we still have Brian left! Carl will be missed, the rest of my life! steve

I feel you 💖🙏🏻🎶

. IS a legend !! .

I can only imagine what Brian is thinking now.

Yes they certainly did

When Carl died , all that was good in this screwed up world lost a monumental piece of it's self. Love and mercy to Brian for ever.

I’m afraid that you are right x

Wolfsky9 I would LOVE to have the opportunity to talk with you. There are a couple questions I’d like to ask you, regarding Carl. You are my “go-to” source, for all things CDW. ❤️

To Ms. D. Patterson : I am flattered by your request. If I can answer, I'd be pleased to do so. THAT said : I met Carl once, very briefly, in 1976, Denver, before their performance at Mile-High Stadium, in July of that year. My closest friend was dating the promoter's----Barry Fey ---daughter, & it was the 1 & only time I ever went " backstage". As Carl was the only one of the several performers there that day, & my friend knew how much I admired him, he arranged for a brief meeting, with Barry's help. Carl was approx. 5"10", as was Dennis. He was incredibly gracious, shook my hand, thanked me & asked my favorite BB songs. I will tell you this : Carl was handsome, & he had --for lack of a better term---an aura around him that's difficult to explain, but I felt it. In all, our meeting was less than 5 minutes, but for me, it confirmed my belief from the early days , that Carl was truly, the heart of The BB's, & onstage, the MD, in full command of the music. The man just had unusual class & presence. And as the years went on, he was for me, THE reason I went to see the group; in all, 24 times, between '64, & '97. ---In Oct. '97, at Thousand Oaks Perf. Ctr., he was absent, & it was the poorest perf. I have ever seen by The Boys. For most of the crowd, Carl's absence overshadowed the music --and it ruined all attempts at " Fun, Fun, Fun". -----When Carl left for those 2 years to go on his own, I never saw him perform, but I spoke with a woman who saw him in NYC. She told me that she & her 3 friends were completely surprised by not only how good his band was, but how Carl smiled, & seemed to be enjoying himself; he'd lost weight, trimmed the beard & combed his hair off his forehead; she tole me that she & her friends all decided he was " movie star handsome", & should stay on his own. I have often wondered if The Boys could have survived, had Carl not returned. What I DO believe, is that he would have been huge, had he remained on his own; family loyalty however, won out.----WolfSky9, 71 y/o

To Ms. D. Patterson. MY E-Mail : wolfen924@gmail.com. If I can answer, I'm more than pleased to do so. If I don't know, I will likewise be candid & say so. ----Point of Reference : of Carl's compositions, " Where I Belong" , " Heaven" & " Long Promised Road" are, IMO, Masterpieces. ------As with his brothers, Carl worked better with partners who were better with lyrics ; as with the aforementioned, Robert White Johnson , Myrna Smith-Schilling, & Jack Reilly. ----My own speculation : had DW not been ruined by drugs, smoking & ETOH, I believe that Carl would have been willing to collaborate more closely with him , & possibly, have DW join his band in those 2 years away from The Boys. I just see so clearly how loyal he was to DW. As for he & BW, THAT relationship was difficult all through the late 60's, the 70's, & most of all, the 80's. And sadly, it never was repaired. ---WolfSky9, 71 y/o

Wolfsky9= God bless you and THANK YOU, for all of that CARL info. I’m crying, typing this!!! You are such a kind and generous soul.

Ms Patterson : My heartfelt thanks. We share a bond in the love of music, & one of the real heroes of the very best music of all-time. I trust when it's my time, Carl will be there, singing with The Angelic Choir. ----WolfSky9

I was the same age in 97. Actually I think by this time I was 11. Either way, I woulda probably killed to have seen this show. They were by far my favorite band at the time, and have secured a special place in my life throughout all the other music I love.

Nearly complete concert there : www.guitars101.com/forums/f90/beach-boys-concord-pavilion-1997-08-02-aud-last-recorded-concert-carl-664989.html

@@brianwalendy3735 SAME

That what I often think to myself! In the beginning, has was so young and no one could know a voice like his will ve so important in the Beach Boys sound... Brian was lucky to have such a great instrument like his young brother's voice that he could use to make his masterpieces! And no one come could predict this in 1961!!!

Brian did.

Dave Susnock Do you have a video?

I bet you are!

You know him personality?

Saw that July 4th in Delaware. After GOK HE never sat down. But the last show he did was Labor day wk.end @ Resorts in Atlantic City. 3 nite stand but didn't finish last show. SO SAD,SO SAD!!