Bruce Johnston

Bruce Johnston (born June 27, 1942) is the current keyboardist / bassist of The Beach Boys. Bruce is most known for writing and singing the Beach Boys hit "Disney Girls (1957)" and composing the Barry Manilow song "I Write the Songs", which Bruce would eventually record on his unsuccessful 1977 solo record Going Public.

Bruce moved to Los Angeles from Illinois at a young age, and studied classical piano. Later into the 1950's, Bruce started writing surf rock music, popular in Southern California, and worked with Phil Spector and Kim Fowley. With his friend Terry Melcher, he became popular in the surf scene and released records under many monikers with Terry and other surf groups. Eventually, he became a producer for Columbia Records and produced surf rock records throughout the first half of the 1960's.

When Brian Wilson had a panic attack and subsequent mental breakdown on a plane flight in 1965, The Beach Boys needed a vocalist and bass player after Brian stopped touring. Bruce, a friend of the band, helped look for a bass player, and auditioned 4 unsuccessful bassists before stepping in on bass duties himself. After this tour, Bruce proved good for the band. He recorded his first song for the iconic record "California Girls".