Bruce Johnston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bruce Johnston
Johnston in 2021
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Baldwin
Born	(1942-06-27) June 27, 1942 (age 83) Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Pop rock
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter musician
Instruments	Vocals bass keyboards
Years active	1957–present

Bruce Johnston (born Benjamin Baldwin on June 27, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as a member of the famous rock band the Beach Boys.

Johnston is also a talented songwriter. He wrote the famous 1975 song "I Write the Songs", which became a huge hit for singer Barry Manilow. He often worked with his friend and bandmate Terry Melcher on music projects.

Born in Illinois, Johnston grew up in Los Angeles. He studied classical piano as a child. In high school, he arranged and played piano on the hit song "Teen Beat" by Sandy Nelson. He also worked with famous music producers like Phil Spector.

In 1965, Johnston joined the Beach Boys. He started by filling in for the band's founder, Brian Wilson, during live shows. He soon began singing on their albums and writing his own songs for the group. Some of his famous songs for the band include "Tears in the Morning" and "Disney Girls (1957)".

Johnston left the Beach Boys in 1972 to work on his own music. He recorded a solo album called Going Public in 1977. He rejoined the Beach Boys in 1978 and has continued to tour and record with them ever since.

Early Life and Career

Bruce Johnston was born in Peoria, Illinois, and his birth name was Benjamin Baldwin. He was adopted by William and Irene Johnston and grew up in wealthy neighborhoods of Los Angeles. His adoptive father was the president of the Owl Rexall Drug Company.

Johnston studied classical piano from a young age. In high school, he became interested in popular music. He played in several bands and began working with professional musicians like Ritchie Valens and the Everly Brothers.

First Steps in the Music Industry

Bruce & Terry (left) with Brian Wilson (right) in early 1966

In 1959, while still in high school, Johnston arranged and played piano on his first hit record, "Teen Beat" by Sandy Nelson. The song was a Top Ten hit. That same year, he released his first single, "Take This Pearl," as part of a duo called Bruce & Jerry.

By the early 1960s, Johnston was producing records for other artists. He also recorded several surf rock songs and albums. In 1963, he began working with his friend Terry Melcher, who was the son of actress Doris Day.

Johnston and Melcher worked as producers at Columbia Records. They produced the hit song "Hey Little Cobra" for a group called the Rip Chords. They even sang all the vocal parts on the recording themselves. The two also recorded their own music as a duo called Bruce & Terry.

Joining The Beach Boys

On April 9, 1965, Bruce Johnston joined the Beach Boys. He was asked to replace Glen Campbell, who had been touring with the band as a substitute for Brian Wilson. Brian had decided to stop touring to focus on writing and recording new music.

Johnston's first time singing on a Beach Boys album was for the song "California Girls". Because of contract issues, he wasn't officially listed as a band member on an album cover until Wild Honey in 1967. However, he was in a photo on the back of the famous Pet Sounds album in 1966.

Contributions to the Band

Johnston in 1966

Johnston played an important role during the Pet Sounds era. In May 1966, he flew to London and played the album for John Lennon and Paul McCartney of The Beatles. He also sang background vocals on several tracks, including "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows".

Starting in 1969, Johnston began writing his own songs for the band. His first was an instrumental piece called "The Nearest Faraway Place" on the 20/20 album. He later wrote "Tears in the Morning" and "Deirdre" for the Sunflower album in 1970.

One of his most famous songs for the band was "Disney Girls (1957)" from the 1971 album Surf's Up. Many other artists, including Art Garfunkel and Doris Day, later recorded their own versions of the song.

Leaving and Returning to the Band

Johnston with the Beach Boys, 1971

In 1972, Johnston left the Beach Boys. There were different reasons given for his departure. Some said there was tension in the group, while Johnston said he wanted to focus on his own career. He felt frustrated and wanted to do more than just sing old songs.

After leaving, Johnston started a solo career. In 1977, he released the album Going Public. It included his own version of "I Write the Songs" and a disco version of his Beach Boys song "Deirdre".

In late 1978, Brian Wilson asked Johnston to rejoin the Beach Boys to help produce their next album, L.A. (Light Album). Johnston agreed and has remained a member of the band ever since. He has continued to tour with Mike Love as The Beach Boys for many years.

Other Musical Work

Besides his work with The Beach Boys, Johnston has had a successful career as a songwriter and producer.

Writing "I Write the Songs"

In the mid-1970s, Johnston wrote "I Write the Songs". The song was first recorded by the group Captain & Tennille. However, it became a number one hit for singer Barry Manilow. For this song, Johnston won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1977. Over 200 artists have recorded the song, including Frank Sinatra.

Collaborations with Other Artists

Johnston with the Beach Boys in 2019

Johnston has worked with many famous musicians. He arranged and sang background vocals for Elton John on songs like "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me".

He also sang background vocals on the album The Wall by the band Pink Floyd. The band's leader, Roger Waters, wanted a "Beach Boys-style" sound for the song "The Show Must Go On".

More recently, Johnston worked with the artist The Weeknd on his 2022 album Dawn FM. He co-wrote and co-produced the song "Here We Go... Again".

Personal Life

Johnston married Harriet Johnston in 1976. They have four sons: Ozzie, Justin, Ryan, and Max.

Politically, Johnston has identified as a Republican. He has sometimes shared his political opinions publicly.

Discography

Solo Albums

• Surfers' Pajama Party (1962)
• Surfin' Round the World (1963)
• Going Public (1977)

Main Albums with The Beach Boys

See also

In Spanish: Bruce Johnston para niños