(Credits: Stefan Brending)
Thu 5 March 2026 11:52, UK
Bruce Johnston, a member of The Beach Boys since 1965, has announced he is leaving the touring band after 61 years.
The musician confirmed the news in a statement to Rolling Stone on March 4th, six-and-a-half decades since he first joined the group for their live performances, after frontman Brian Wilson stepped away from life on the road.
Telling the publication what is set to come next, Johnston said: “It’s time for Part Three of my lengthy musical career! I can write songs forever and wait until you hear what’s coming!!! As my major talent beyond singing is songwriting, now is the time to get serious again.”
With Johnston’s departure, it now leaves Mike Love the only remaining member of the classic band, in addition to being the sole remaining member of the first core recording line-up.
Despite this, the musician noted that he is not cutting ties with The Beach Boys entirely, as he added: “I am excited to join the Beach Boys for performances on special occasions and will see everyone at The Hollywood Bowl as we celebrate our Nation’s 250th Birthday!!”, referencing the band’s three-night stint in LA over the Independence Day celebrations.
“This isn’t goodbye, it’s see you soon. I am forever grateful to be a part of the Beach Boys musical legacy,” Johnston said, explaining that he has an interest in developing a career of speaking engagements as well as “appearances and events of my own”.
It comes as the touring band are shortly set to head out on a new tour, beginning at the Bayside Stadium at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida on March 22nd, and continuing throughout the US.
The band will then head to the UK for a run of dates in June, making stops in London, Edinburgh, Halifax, Southampton, Wolverhampton, and Belfast. This year, they are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic Pet Sounds, with members Jeffrey Foskett, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill, Keith Hubacher, Christian Love and Scott Totten bringing it to life.
Their run of dates will also cross over with the one-year anniversary of the passing of Wilson, the band’s original founder and frontman, who died on June 11th last year aged 82.
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