Blondie Chaplin

Blondie Chaplin (born June 7, 1951) is a former lead guitarist in the band The Beach Boys, as well as The Flames. He is also known as the lead singer of "Sail On, Sailor" and a touring guitarist, bassist, and percussionist with the popular band The Rolling Stones. Active in the Beach Boys from 1972 to 1973, he added a soulful perspective to the group, replacing bassist/keyboardist Bruce Johnston. Blondie plays on Carl and the Passions – "So Tough" and Holland, and sings a variety of songs (he also plays on In Concert).

Raised in Durban, South Africa, Blondie picked up the electric guitar and bass guitar. He joined the South African rock band The Flames in 1970 as a guitarist and vocalist, replacing former bandleader Edries Federicks. Also in this band was drummer and guitarist Ricky Fataar, the youngest of the Fataar brothers. The band produced a hit record, a cover of "For Your Precious Love", which reached #1 in South Africa. After their 1968 album Soulfire was successful, the band relocated to London, England.

In London, the band came into contact with Carl Wilson in 1970, after previously engaging with acts like Jerry Garcia and Miles Davis. Carl, digging the band, signed them to Brother Records almost immediately to record an album. This would be The Flames' last album. Titled The Flame (they briefly changed their name to not be confused with the James Brown backing band 'The Famous Flames'), it was released in 1970 by Brother and the group subsequently broke up.

After the dissolvement of The Flames, Ricky and Blondie stayed in contact with Carl for years. After bassist Bruce Johnston left the group and Dennis Wilson punched a window, Carl called Blondie and Ricky back as replacements (Dennis would remain in the band, just playing keyboards). The band, in the midst of recording Carl and the Passions – So Tough, accepted Blondie and Ricky into the band. The duo would write 2 songs for the album: "Here She Comes" and "Hold On Dear Brother".