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Pray For Surf interviewed Philip Bardowell
Philip (right) onstage with Beach Boy Mike Love
PFS ~ Philip, your name is familiar to Beach Boys fans but many may not be familiar with how you became a Beach Boys Tour Band member ...
Philip ~ My association with the Beach Boys can be traced back to my childhood friend, John Stamos. John was always a big fan growing up and we would often go to Disneyland to see Papa Doo Run Run. It was John who set up the audition with Jan & Dean when I was 20 years old, unemployed and looking for another waiter job. I auditioned and started with Jan & Dean as their bassist. I remember that this was just about the time that Papa Doo Run Run and Jan & Dean were parting ways and I remember Dean telling Jan that I knew Casey Kasem (which I did from a distance being in the Lebanese-American community!) so that Jan would accept me into the group. They also told Jan that I did hair and makeup and had played in Duran Duran or something like that. I kid you not! This is where and how my "wave in surf music" began. PFS ~ Were you already a fan of the Beach Boys? Their music?
Philip ~Yes. The only album I knew was Endless Summer. John used to bring that LP over and he wore it out. To be honest, John was a much bigger fan than I was, however, the Beach Boys-being the "Coca Cola of music" were never too far off my radar. John and my brother, Habib, used to tease me for liking so much "black music" (acceptable term back then!) I listened to a lot of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley (being from Jamaica, WI originally).PFS ~ You also played for Jan & Dean - What were some of the similarities and what were some of the differences between the BBs and J&D -?
Philip ~
- Musically (how each band approached their performances) –Musically, I always found Jan & Dean's songs to be more complex in the changes. Some of the chord changes and harmonies were far out and after I met Jan, this all made sense! Of course, I wasn't as familiar with Jan & Dean's songs, and I must admit that I was one of those people who thought that songs like "Little Old Lady From Pasadena" were Beach Boys songs. I got a quick education on what was what and who was who very quickly! I always thought that Jan & Deans songs were more "tongue in cheek" overall than those of the Beach Boys.
- Personalities (of the headlining stars) –
- Jan: Great heart, but somewhat of a tormented soul at times. I admired his persistence and drive in the face of adversity. I miss him and may he rest in peace.
- Dean: Very level-headed and calculating. Extremely down to earth and as "anti-celebrity" as they come. Dean's still my dear friend to this very day.
- Mike Love: Hardest working man on stage I've ever known. Totally inspiring in this way. Mike was like watching a teenager in his first garage band every night. It didn't matter what size the crowd was. I watched Mike turn a 50 person private event into a frenzy. Mike is also a very generous performer (legend!) and always allowed and encouraged newcomers (yours truly!) a chance to shine.
- Carl Wilson: Extremely gifted. Having Carl on stage was like having your first piano instructor on stage with you. Everyone wanted to impress Carl and everyone wanted to please him. Although somewhat aloof at times, Carl was a very sweet soul and was a loving person through and through. He also commanded great respect from everyone. He was very encouraging and welcoming to me and being on stage while he sang "God Only Knows" was a surreal experience. Vocalists don't come any better. Even at the end of his life, he still sounded amazing. God rest his soul.
- Al Jardine: Extremely gifted vocalist. Truly one of the most underrated and a total stalwart in the harmonic structure of the Beach Boy's sound. Al's voice is incredible and powerful. I still have the pleasure of working with Al from time to time and Al's son, Matthew is a dear friend and partner in the Surf City Allstars.
- David Marks: Not enough words to describe my love and friendship for David. Talk about an "unsung hero"! David is an incredible musician all around and I'd have to say that he was the best "in house" guitarist the Beach Boys ever had. David and I share a strong faith in The Lord and I have a special place in my heart for my "Uncle Marv" I love David very much and meeting him was a true highlight in my Beach Boys experience.
- Bruce Johnston: Extraordinarily talented musician and songwriter. Bruce actually underplays his abilities in the context of the Beach Boys. You only have to look at some of his most noted musical contributions-"Disney Girls" and "I Write The Songs" to prove it. I enjoyed knowing Bruce.
- Live events (venues, crowd size and reaction to the music) - We played venues that held crowds as small as 50 people (as I mentioned above) to 200 hundred thousand (Vienna 2000) I refer to the Beach Boys as the "Coca Cola" of music, because they truly cross all generational boundaries and appeal to young children as much as they appeal to the childrens' parents and grandparents! It was truly amazing to witness. I saw 5 year olds mouthing the lyrics and entire families present experiencing the Beach Boys show together as it were their childrens' rite of passage into "musical adulthood"! I've never seen anything like this since and will most likely never see again, another musical entity with such a wide generational appeal.
- Fans (appreciation, expectations on a personal basis) - I met some wonderful folks through this experience and still to this day, enjoy this fringe benefit of being a part of such "Americana" and band that epitomizes American musical history. It was as if I were part of the audience when we did these shows. I was both a participant and spectator!
PFS ~ Agree or disagree ... Fifty years from now, bands will continue to form and perform the great singles and great sounds of the Beach Boys and Jan & Dean - Not unlike today's symphony orchestras which present centuries old music with great respect and quality, these bands will set a high standard at reproducing the original sound both instrumentally and vocally...
Philip ~ AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
PFS ~ Some of my favorite BB, J&D tunes are not among their greatest hits ...What are your impressions of some of these lesser known or played songs?
Philip ~
- I Found A Girl-I LIKE IT. Catchy.
- You Really Know How to Hurt a Guy-Quirky, but cool!
- Break Away-Not too familiar! (Ouch!)
- Little Girl I Once Knew-We did this song live a few times. Very fun song with cool harmonies. Very avante garde and "artsy" with a nice swing feel.
- Friends-Love it.
- Its OK-We opened with this a few times in Japan. Very nice and rockin' feel along the lines of "Do It Again". I enjoyed learning and performing this song.
PFS ~ Beach Boys fans often talk about the spirituality in their music. How has that dimension of their music impacted you? What are a few of your personal favorites?
Philip ~ I believe that Brian did have divine inspiration from God whether or not he even knew it. The innocence and power of some of the following songs could only be from God, in my honest opinion.
- God Only Knows: This song is too beautiful for words. One can only ask:'Where did this song come from and can I go there?" TRULY AMAZING.
- Till I Die: Haunting and beautiful, both musically and lyrically.
- Warmth Of The Sun-this song touches my heart in so many ways. It actually transports me to a place of solitude and peace.
- HEAVEN: I first heard this song at Carl's memorial. This song is up there with God Only Knows as far as I am concerned and Carl sang like an angel.
PFS ~ A personal transformation took place in your life of which you said "my life was changed forever." What happened and how did that impact your role as a member of the Beach Boys Band?
Philip ~This happened when I first received The Lord singing on the praise team at Saddleback Church back in 1993. As I sang songs to The Lord, He began to speak to my heart and change my heart. The void that I had in my life was being filled with His purpose and the joy and peace I was starting to understand was overwhelming. I must say however, that this was just the tip of the iceberg. God was transforming me, but the process of sanctification would take many years and I'm still in that process! How did it affect my role as a member of the Beach Boys band? Well, I think that by God's grace and mercy, it probably had positive effects in spite of me, but if I have one thing I wish I could change, it would be that I used the platform and accessibility to people more for His Glory and did not succumb to the trappings of life on the road. I struggled with these things just like everyone else and I learned and now know, that I couldn't possibly overcome them without His armor and His word inside me at all times. All to His glory, I believe that He still used my life to reach others and I am humbled and grateful for this. It would not have been possible without His grace.
PFS ~ Many people dismiss the reality of a Jesus encounter because of the mess they seen or experienced in the Church. How does a personal relationship with Jesus and being involved with the Church fit together for you?
Philip ~ I have learned that the only One who will never let me down, is Christ. We all fall short of the glory of God and I try not to put unrealistic expectations on people because we can never live up to them. I think it's a shame when we fall in the eyes of the world, because as you point out, many will use this to excuse our faith as worthless and many will judge God by His followers. This is why it is important that we have accountability and fellowship. When we do fall, how we seek redemption and allow God to transform us and turn us away from our sinful ways can be just as powerful as living beyond reproach in the first place.
PFS ~ You seem like someone who knows the world of rock and the world of faith.What would you say to someone who appreciates spirituality but keeps their distance from engaging a life of faith in Christ?
Philip ~I would choose my words very carefully and pray that The Truth speaks through my actions in order to reach these people. I can't convince anyone of something they are not ready to receive and I surely can't sing anyone into heaven with my songs. He has given me all that I have, so I need to allow Him to speak through me. This said, I pray that I will never hide my faith and that I will always share what I believe without any hesitation. My ability to be able to do this will depend on how I live my life and continue to follow Him in the eyes of the world.
PFS ~ Philip, thanks for taking this time to share your experiences and thoughts - Fill us in on your current recording career and your ministry. Dream a little of what the future might hold ...
Philip ~ God is doing amazing things right now and I have been in awe of His provision and guidance in my life. He is a BIG God and I place my life, my music and my future in His Hands. I desire to keep using the songs He has given me to bring Him glory and that my life will bring Him His due glory and honor. This is the desire of my heart and the experience of working with the Beach Boys was a total blessing-I just did not realize how much of a blessing till now. Let's face it, a kid born in Jamaica, West Indies to a Colombian mom and Lebanese/Syrian dad born and raised in Jamaica his entire life doesn't particularly enjoy great odds for being a part of one of the biggest American bands in Rock and Roll history unless God had something to do with it!!! Thank you, for allowing me the opportunity to remember what God has done in my life and where He is taking me. For more info, or updates on what's going on with my ministry, please ask your readers to visit:
www.philipbardowell.com
www.myspace.com/philipbardowell
God bless you and thanks again!
Philip>> 100+ rare Beach Boys videos @ http://uk.youtube.com/BB45s
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