Jeffrey Foskett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jeffrey Foskett
Foskett in 2019
Background information
Born	(1956-02-17)February 17, 1956
Died	December 11, 2023(2023-12-11) (aged 67)
Genres	Rock, pop
Occupation(s)	vocalist, guitarist, arranger, producer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin, glockenspiel
Years active	1970–2023
Labels	BMG, Capitol, ViViD Sound, JP
Associated acts	The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson

Jeffrey Foskett (born February 17, 1956 – died December 11, 2023) was an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He was best known for working with Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. Jeffrey played with them on tour and in the studio starting in the 1980s. People who toured with The Beach Boys sometimes called him their "vice principal" because he was so important. In 1996, he released his first solo album called Thru My Window.

Starting His Music Career

Jeffrey Foskett was born and grew up in San Jose, California. In the 1970s, he started his first band named Cherry. They played a lot of surf music, which was popular at the time. Later, he joined forces with another band called Papa Doo Run Run.

In the late 1970s, while studying in Santa Barbara, California, Jeffrey formed two more bands. These were The Reverie Rhythm Rockers (also known as Reverie) and The Pranks. They played many shows in the Santa Barbara area. Reverie even had a regular show at The Troubadore Nightclub in Hollywood. They performed with famous bands like The Police.

Working with Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys

Jeffrey Foskett became a huge fan of the Beach Boys after hearing their song "I Get Around". He really wanted to meet Brian Wilson, who was a main member of the band. In 1976, Jeffrey found Brian Wilson's house in Bel Air. It had a special stained-glass window that looked like the cover of The Beach Boys' 1967 album Wild Honey. Jeffrey knocked on the door, and Brian Wilson welcomed him inside. They became friends and stayed in touch over the years.

In late 1979, Brian Wilson's cousin, Mike Love, visited a restaurant where Jeffrey's band, Reverie, was playing. Mike Love liked what he heard and hired Reverie to be his touring band, called The Endless Summer Beach Band. Jeffrey toured with Mike Love until December 1981. At that time, Jeffrey took the place of Brian Wilson's brother, Carl Wilson, who briefly left The Beach Boys. When Carl rejoined the band in May 1982, Jeffrey was asked to stay. He sang the high falsetto parts for Brian Wilson's songs until 1990.

Foskett performing in 2006

When Brian Wilson started touring again in the late 1990s, he asked Jeffrey to help him put together his new band. Jeffrey became the musical director. He played at almost every solo show Brian Wilson performed. In these concerts, Jeffrey often sang lead on songs like "Don't Worry Baby" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice". He also played guitar, sang, and helped arrange music on many of Brian Wilson's solo albums. This included the 2004 version of SMiLE.

In 2012, Jeffrey joined The Beach Boys' live band for their 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour. He also helped record their studio album That's Why God Made the Radio. On this album, he sang all the high falsetto parts and other vocals. Al Jardine, another member of The Beach Boys, said that Jeffrey was very important. He helped Brian Wilson feel comfortable touring and made it possible for him to be on the road. During the reunion tour, Jeffrey sang lead on several songs.

After the reunion tour, Jeffrey continued to tour with Brian Wilson in 2013. Famous guitarist Jeff Beck joined them on tour and worked with them on a new album. Jeffrey left the touring band in late 2013. He said he felt very tired and stressed from all the touring and recording. He explained that a lot of extra work fell on him. He said, "I can’t do this anymore." After he left, Matt Jardine took his place in Brian Wilson's band.

On May 15, 2014, it was announced that Jeffrey Foskett would rejoin The Beach Boys as a full-time touring member. He also played on Mike Love's solo albums, Unleash the Love (2017) and Reason for the Season (2018).

In early 2019, Jeffrey took a break from The Beach Boys because he needed throat surgery. Later in 2019, he shared that he had been diagnosed with a serious type of cancer called anaplastic thyroid cancer in early 2018. He explained that several surgeries and treatments had affected his vocal cords. This caused his ability to sing very high falsetto notes to become much weaker. He also announced that he would release his album Voices on November 22, 2019. He thought this might be his last solo album, but he planned to keep playing live music and possibly produce records for others.

Other Music Projects

Jeffrey Foskett released several solo albums. These included Thru My Window, Cool and Gone, and Twelve and Twelve. Some people called Thru My Window "The best Beach Boys album they never recorded." Jeffrey won awards, like Top Selling Artist of the Year in New Zealand. He was also named Best New Foreign Artist in Japan. He is a member of "California Rocks," which is the California Rock Hall of Fame.

Besides The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson, Jeffrey toured and recorded with many other famous musicians. These included Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, and Ringo Starr. He was one of the few artists who recorded and performed live with three great guitar players: Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton. He also produced music for other artists, such as Harry Shearer and Micky Dolenz from The Monkees.

Italia Guitars honored Jeffrey by releasing special guitar models named after him. In 2016, they released "The JF-12" Twelve String Guitar. In 2017, they released "The JF-6" Six String Guitar. At the 2018 NAMM Show, they released "The JF-Q" Six String Guitar.

In 2018, Jeffrey released a new duet album with Jeff Larson called "Elua Aloha." It came out on June 12.

Jeffrey Foskett was a strong supporter of several charities. These included The MD Anderson Cancer Center, The Gary Sinise Foundation, and The Carl Wilson Foundation.

Death

Jeffrey Foskett passed away on December 11, 2023, at the age of 67. He died from the anaplastic thyroid cancer he had been battling.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

See also

In Spanish: Jeffrey Foskett para niños