BJ
Photo of Bruce Johnston

Bruce Johnston

Actor, ComposerBorn June 27, 1942 (82 years)
Bruce Arthur Johnston (born Benjamin Baldwin; June 27, 1942) is an American singer, musician and songwriter who is a member of the Beach Boys. He also collaborated on many records with Terry Melcher (his bandmate in Bruce & Terry, the Rip Chords, and California Music) and composed the 1975 Barry Manilow hit, "I Write the Songs".

Born in Illinois, Johnston grew up in Los Angeles and studied classical piano in his early years. While in high school, he arranged and played on his first hit record, Sandy Nelson's "Teen Beat" (1959), and also worked with musicians such as Kim Fowley and Phil Spector. One of Johnston's first gigs was as a member of the surf band the Gamblers before becoming a staff producer at Columbia Records.

In 1965, Johnston joined the Beach Boys for live performances, initially filling in for the group's co-founder Brian Wilson. Johnston's first appearance on the band's records was as a vocalist on "California Girls" (1965). He later contributed original material to the group's albums, including "The Nearest Faraway Place" on 20/20 (1969), "Tears in the Morning" and "Deirdre" on Sunflower (1970), and "Disney Girls (1957)" on Surf's Up (1971).

Johnston left the Beach Boys in 1972 and subsequently embarked on a solo career. During this time, Johnston recorded one solo album, Going Public (1977), his latest to date. In late 1978, he rejoined the Beach Boys to co-produce the group's L.A. (Light Album) (1979). Since then, he has continued to tour as a member of the band.

Born in Peoria, Illinois in 1942, he was adopted as child by William and Irene Johnston of Chicago and grew up in the wealthy Los Angeles neighborhoods of Brentwood and Bel-Air. His adoptive family is of Irish descent, with his grandparents hailing from Markethill, County Armagh. His adoptive father was president of the Owl Rexall Drug Company in Los Angeles after moving from Walgreens in Chicago.

Johnston attended the private Bel Air Town and Country School (later renamed John Thomas Dye School) and the University of California, Los Angeles. He also studied classical piano in his early years, training at Interlochen Arts Camp as a youth.

In high school, Johnston switched to contemporary music. He performed in a few "beginning" bands during this time and then moved on to working with young musicians such as Sandy Nelson, Kim Fowley, and Phil Spector. Soon, Johnston began backing people such as Ritchie Valens, the Everly Brothers, and Eddie Cochran.

In 1959, while still in high school, Johnston arranged and played on his first hit record, "Teen Beat" by Sandy Nelson. The single reached the Billboard Top Ten. The same year, Johnston made his first single under his own name, "Take This Pearl" on Arwin Records (a record label owned by Doris Day) as part of the Bruce & Jerry duo (Jerry Cooper was a high school friend of Bruce's). The teenage Hot Rod film entitled "Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow" (1959), features the song "I Promise You" by Johnston and Judy Harriet.

In 1960, Johnston started his record production career at Del-Fi Records, producing five singles and an album – Love You So – by Ron Holden (many of the album's eleven tracks were written or co-written by Johnston). ...

Source: Article "Bruce Johnston" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Movies & Shows on Plex
  • Baywatch

Filmography

2024
The Beach Boys · as Self
2023
2020
GMA3: What You Need to Know (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest
2017
Free to Rock · as Self
2017
2014
Good Morning Britain (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
2012
2012
2012
2012
2010
2010
2008
The Wrecking Crew! · as Self - Beach Boy (uncredited)
2007
Cease to Exist · as Self (archive Footage)
2003
2001
Weakest Link (TV Series) · as Self - Contestant
2000
BBC Breakfast (TV Series) · as Self - Singer
1998
Fox Files (TV Series) · as Self
1998
1997
Classic Albums (TV Series) · as Self - The Beach Boys
1996
SMAP×SMAP (TV Series) · as Self
1993
Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self
1991
Charlie Rose (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1991
Home Improvement (TV Series) · as Bruce Johnston
1987
Full House (TV Series) · as Self - The Beach Boys
1987
Disorderlies · as Himself
1987
Biography (TV Series) · as Self
1985
1982
The Compleat Beatles · as Self - The Beach Boys
1982
T.J. Hooker (TV Series) · as Self (archive Footage) (uncredited)
1982
Champs-Elysees (TV Series) · as Self - The Beach Boys
1981
1980
1978
Deadman's Curve · as Self
1977
1976
The Beach Boys: It's OK · as Self - Beach Boys Member
1975
Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest
1968
The Dick Cavett Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest
1961
The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) · as Self
1959
Juke Box Jury (TV Series) · as Self - Panellist
1948
The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) · as Self

Take Plex everywhere

Watch free anytime, anywhere, on almost any device.
See the full list of supported devices