Jeffrey Foskett

Jeffrey Foskett
Jeffrey Foskett in Japan, 2012
Background information
Born February 17, 1956
Genres Rock, pop, surf rock, baroque pop
Occupation(s) vocalist, guitarist, arranger, producer
Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin
Years active 1970–present
Labels Capitol
Associated acts The Beach Boys, Brian Wilson
Website www.new-surf.com/foskett/
Notable instruments
Gibson ES-355
Gibson ES-335
Epiphone Sheraton

Jeffrey "Jeff" Foskett is an American guitarist and singer best known for his work with Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys.[1] Foskett is described as The Beach Boys' "vice principal" by its core members.[2]

Early career

Based in San Jose, California, Foskett began his first band in the 1970s known as Cherry, after the Willow Glen area street on which he lived. Foskett played mostly surf music covers in the same market as Papa Doo Run Run, with whom Foskett would join forces later. In the late 1970s, Foskett formed two renowned bands: The Reverie Rhythm Rockers (aka Reverie) and The Pranks in Santa Barbara, California, gigging throughout the area with fellow area bands like D. B. Cooper. The band held a house residency at The Troubadore Nightclub in Hollywood Mondays performing with The Mentors, The Cretones, The Police and 20/20.

The Beach Boys

In late 1979, Mike Love stopped by the famous Santa Barbara restaurant "1129" where Reverie was the house band. Love listened to Foskett and hired Reverie as the original incarnation of The Endless Summer Beach Band. The band toured with Love through 1981 when Foskett replaced Carl Wilson who briefly left the Beach Boys to pursue a solo career. When Wilson rejoined the Beach Boys in May 1982, Foskett was asked to stay to perform the falsetto parts, which he did on and off until 1991.

In 2012, Foskett joined The Beach Boys, on their 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour and subsequently recorded the studio album, That's Why God Made the Radio, alongside the band, performing all of the falsetto vocal parts as well as other vocals on the record. Regarding his role in the reunion, Al Jardine stated, "Jeffrey is invaluable to keeping the continuity between the various component parts. He supports Brian in every possible way. He has Brian's confidence, and basically kind of makes it possible to have Brian Wilson on the road with us. [Without] that shoulder to lean on, I think it would be very difficult for Brian to tour. And I'm very grateful for that."[2] On the tour he provided lead vocals on "Don't Worry Baby", "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" as well as singing all of the falsetto vocals.

On May 15, 2014, it was announced that Foskett would be re-joining The Beach Boys as a permanent member of the touring band.[3]

Brian Wilson

When Brian Wilson returned to touring in the late 1990s, he asked Foskett to help him assemble his touring band. Foskett is musical director, appearing at every solo show Wilson has performed. In Wilson concerts, Foskett provides lead vocals on several of Wilson's songs, including "Don't Worry Baby", "The Warmth Of The Sun" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice" as well as others. Foskett has appeared on all of Wilson's solo CD's credited as vocals/guitar/co-arranger.

Other work

Foskett in 2006

Foskett has released several solo albums including Thru My Window, touted as "The best Beach Boys album they never recorded",[4] Cool and Gone and Twelve and Twelve. Foskett has won several awards including Top Selling Artist of the Year in New Zealand and Best New Foreign Artist in Japan. He is also a member of the California Rock Hall of Fame

In addition to The Beach Boys/Brian Wilson, Foskett has toured and recorded with other friends in the music industry such as Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck, Roy Orbison, The Everly Brothers, Chicago, America, Heart, Roger McGuinn, Eric Carmen, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Christopher Cross and Ringo Starr.[5]

Foskett mainly tours and records as Musical Director for Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson. Foskett has appeared as guitarist/vocalist/arranger on a majority Wilson solo material, including the 2004 version of SMiLE. He also produces other artists including Harry Shearer of Spinal Tap and Micky Dolenz of The Monkees.

Foskett has earned over 40 Gold and Platinum Record awards and a Grammy.[5] He is a supporter of the Carl Wilson Foundation.

Discography

Jeffrey Foskett

The Beach Boys

Brian Wilson

References

  1. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. "Biography: Jeffrey Foskett". AMG. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lewis, Randy. "Beach Boys reunion: Jeffrey Foskett keeps the band in harmony | Los Angeles Times". latimes.com. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  3. ↑ Blistein, Jon (15 May 2014). "Beach Boys Plan Tour to Celebrate 50 Years of 'Fun Fun Fun'". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  4. ↑ Morsch, Mike (21 October 2009). "It’s been a fun, fun, fun ride". montgomerynews.com. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Jeffrey Foskett". new-surf.com. Retrieved 31 August 2012.

External links