Bruce Johnston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bruce Johnston
Bruce Johnston on the Tom Moffatt Show, 1963
Background information
Birth name	Benjamin Baldwin
Born	(1942-06-27) June 27, 1942 (age 82) Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Pop rock
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals keyboards bass
Years active	1957–present

Bruce Arthur Johnston (born Benjamin Baldwin; June 27, 1942) is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the famous band, The Beach Boys. Bruce also wrote the popular song "I Write the Songs", which was a big hit for Barry Manilow.

Bruce was born in Illinois in 1942 and grew up in Los Angeles, California. From a young age, he loved music and learned to play classical piano. Even in high school, he was already helping to create hit songs! He worked with musicians like Phil Spector. One of his first bands was a surf music group called The Gamblers. Later, he became a music producer at Columbia Records.

In 1965, Bruce joined The Beach Boys. He first helped out with their live shows, filling in for the band's co-founder Brian Wilson. Bruce's first time singing on a Beach Boys record was for the song "California Girls" (1965). He later wrote some of their songs, like "The Nearest Faraway Place" (1969), "Tears in the Morning" (1970), "Deirdre" (1970), and "Disney Girls (1957)" (1971).

Bruce left The Beach Boys in 1972 to work on his own music. During this time, he released a solo album called Going Public (1977). In late 1978, he rejoined The Beach Boys and helped produce their album L.A. (Light Album) (1979). Since then, he has continued to tour as a member of the band.

Bruce Johnston's Early Life and Music Career

Bruce Johnston was adopted by William and Irene Johnston. He grew up in the Los Angeles areas of Brentwood and Bel-Air. His family has Irish roots. Bruce's adoptive father was the president of a large drug store company in Los Angeles. Bruce went to private schools and studied classical piano when he was young. He also trained at a special arts camp called Interlochen Arts Camp.

Starting in Music

In high school, Bruce started focusing on modern music. He played in several bands and worked with young musicians like Sandy Nelson, Kim Fowley, and Phil Spector. Bruce also played music for famous singers like Ritchie Valens, the Everly Brothers, and Eddie Cochran.

In 1959, while still in high school, Bruce helped arrange and play on Sandy Nelson's hit song "Teen Beat". This song became very popular, reaching the top ten on the music charts. That same year, Bruce released his first song under his own name, "Take This Pearl," as part of a duo called Bruce & Jerry.

Becoming a Producer

In 1960, Bruce started his career as a record producer at Del-Fi Records. He produced many songs and an album for the singer Ron Holden. Bruce also wrote or co-wrote many of the songs on that album.

In 1962 and 1963, Bruce continued to make his own music, releasing several surf music songs and albums. One album was called Surfin' 'Round the World. In 1963, he started working with his friend Terry Melcher, who was the son of actress Doris Day. They made an album together called The Hot Doggers.

Bruce and Terry later became producers at Columbia Records. They produced music for a group called the Rip Chords. They even sang all the vocal parts for the Rip Chords' hit song "Hey Little Cobra." Bruce and Terry also made some recordings as a duo called Bruce & Terry.

Joining The Beach Boys

Johnston in 1966

On April 9, 1965, Bruce Johnston joined The Beach Boys in New Orleans. He took the place of Glen Campbell, who had been touring with the band for a short time. Bruce started playing bass guitar when he joined The Beach Boys. His first contributions to their music were on the album Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!).

Bruce was not officially listed on The Beach Boys' album covers until Wild Honey (1967). However, he was pictured with the band on the back of their famous album Pet Sounds (1966).

In May 1966, Bruce traveled to London and played Pet Sounds for famous musicians like John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Keith Moon. Bruce sang backing vocals on six songs from Pet Sounds, including "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows". He also sang on some of the recordings for the album Smile.

Bruce's Songs with The Beach Boys

Bruce's own songs started appearing on The Beach Boys' albums with the instrumental song "The Nearest Faraway Place" from 20/20 (1969). Bruce said his favorite Beach Boys album was Sunflower (1970).

Johnston with the Beach Boys, 1971

The album Surf's Up (1971) included Bruce's most famous song for the band, "Disney Girls (1957)". Many other artists, like Cass Elliot and Art Garfunkel, later recorded this song. Bruce's last contribution before leaving the band was singing backing vocals on their 1972 song "Marcella".

In 1972, Bruce left The Beach Boys. He said he left because he was not happy with Brian Wilson's reduced involvement in the group's music. He also felt frustrated being seen as only a small part of the band.

Solo Career and Return to The Beach Boys

Even after leaving the band, Bruce continued to appear on some of The Beach Boys' albums in the mid-1970s. At the same time, he started his own solo music career. In 1977, he released his solo album Going Public. This album included his own version of "I Write the Songs" and a dance version of his Beach Boys song "Deirdre".

At the end of 1978, Bruce rejoined The Beach Boys. Brian Wilson asked him to come back to help produce the album L.A. (Light Album). The next year, Bruce was the main producer for their album Keepin' the Summer Alive. Bruce has stayed with The Beach Boys ever since. He is the only member who has continued touring with Mike Love as The Beach Boys after the death of Carl Wilson.

Johnston with the Beach Boys in 2019

Bruce still owns an equal part of the band's music publishing company, Wilojarston. He is also the only member of the band to have won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year. As of 2020, Bruce Johnston has been an active touring member of The Beach Boys for the longest time, after Mike Love.

Other Music Work

In 1967, Bruce sang on "My World Fell Down," a song by the group Sagittarius.

In the mid-1970s, Bruce wrote "I Write the Songs". This song was first recorded by Captain & Tennille. It became a number one hit for Barry Manilow. Bruce won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year for this song in 1977. "I Write the Songs" has been recorded by over two hundred artists, including Frank Sinatra.

In 1977, Bruce helped arrange and sing backing vocals on Eric Carmen's album Boats Against the Current. He also contributed vocals to songs by Elton John, including "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me". Bruce also sang on several songs for Pink Floyd's album The Wall, especially on the song "The Show Must Go On".

In 2021, Bruce formed a new version of the group California Music with members of The Beach Boys and their families. They released their first album, California Music Presents Add Some Music, in April 2021.

Bruce Johnston was also one of the producers for The Weeknd's album Dawn FM (2022). He wrote and co-produced the song "Here We Go... Again" on that album.

Personal Life

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

Bruce has identified as a Republican in politics. During The Beach Boys' 50th anniversary tour, a fan video showed him sharing his thoughts on then-US President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

Discography

Solo Albums

Solo Singles

Albums with The Beach Boys

Albums with Mike Love

• 1998: Salute NASCAR (along with David Marks)
• 2001: Summertime Cruisin'
• 2017: Unleash the Love
• 2018: Reason for the Season
• 2019: 12 Sides of Summer

Songs (written or co-written)

See also

In Spanish: Bruce Johnston para niños