Former Beach Boys Brian Wilson and Al Jardine have said they had nothing to do with ex-bandmate Mike Love's headlining performance at a Donald Trump fundraiser over the weekend.
Speaking about Love’s appearance with his version of the Beach Boys at an event for Trump in Newport Beach, California, on Sunday, the pair said, "We didn’t even know about it and were very surprised to read about it in the Los Angeles Times,’’
"We have absolutely nothing to do with the Trump benefit today in Newport Beach. Zero’’
The Sunday performance was the main attraction at the event, according to the LA Times, with tickets priced from $2,800 per person to up to $150,000 for a couple to be considered "co-chairs’’ of the event.
Love’s touring rights to the Beach Boys name has led to friction with his ex-bandmates over the years.
Singer Wilson and guitarist Jardine also distanced themselves from Love's group last February when it performed for an international safari convention, where the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., was the keynote speaker.
"This organization supports trophy hunting, which both Al and I are emphatically opposed to," Wilson said. "There’s nothing we can do personally to stop the show, so please join us in signing the petition."
Long time Trump supporter Love sang at one of the president’s inaugural balls in 2017, and told Uncut magazine afterward, "I don’t have anything negative to say about the president of the USA.
"I understand there are so many factions and fractious things going on. The chips will fall where they may.
"But Donald Trump has never been anything but kind to us. We have known him for many a year.’’
Wilson fans took to social media to clarify the difference between The Beach Boys and Mike Love's version of the band.
Dear World,
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) October 18, 2020
The Beach Boys are *NOT* playing for Donald Trump today.
Mike Love and his pickup garage band are playing.
Brian Wilson, the ONLY genius leader of the REAL Beach Boys has CONDEMNED Trump and this type of fake $$$ sellout concert BS.
If Brian Wilson and Al Jardine aren't gonna be there (they aren't), Trump isn't going to a Beach Boys concert. He's going to a Mike Love concert. https://t.co/vHqZWs8FER
— Allie Goertz (@AllieGoertz) October 18, 2020
President Trump will visit Newport Beach today to raise money for his cash-strapped campaign.
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) October 18, 2020
The event will feature a live performance by the Beach Boys and tickets start at $2,800 per person, up to $150,000 per couple for co-chair status. https://t.co/Nx3kAZe3a8
I love how the Real Beach Boys had to come out and make a statement that the Fake Beach Boys were playing at the Trump Fundraiser.
— Laura Topliffe (@TheTopLife) October 19, 2020