SG101 2023 Interview with Paul Johnson of the Bel-Airs

From the SG101 Festival, July 29, 2023, it's an
interview with Paul Johnson, Bel-Airs guitarist with Jonpaul Balak.
The SG101 Festival was a 3 day event July 28-30, 2023 at the
Crystal Ballroom, Golden Sails Hotel in Long Beach, CA.
0:00 - Intro
2:51 - Origins of surf music
7:59 - The Beach Boys
11:26 - High school
13:19 - Dick Dale and Eddie
16:37 - Delvy and Bel-Airs reformed
21:20 - Eddie
23:02 - Volcanic Action
25:38 - Stratocaster's choice
27:55 - PJ today
31:00 - Influences
34:29 - Pj's first amp & guitar

[@johnmitchelljr]

I haven’t words to express my love and respect for Paul Johnson. That goes for your channel also. Makes me glad I’m still alive. Thank very much.

[@tikibongo99]

Thanks John

[@wfoguy]

Thanks, Dave. Jp and PJ did a great job. Knowing a little about Paul's health issues, he did very well. :)

[@tikibongo99]

Thanks wfoguy :)

[@jonadams8841]

I was born and raised in LA and the South Bay. I grew up in Inglewood. First girlfriend was in Westchester. Hung out in Torrance and Manhattan Beach. Wasn't until 1981 that I finally heard the Bel Airs' Bedlam, on Jim Dunfrund's Surf Wave, on KXLU every Thursday night at 10 pm. That tune was soooo amazing and I got chills hearing it. I think it was pilfered for the Munsters theme, which was several years after Bedlam was released, and more in my era.
Hearing Mr PJ talk about the South Bay venues, hangouts, and even venturing over the border to the OC, just brings tears of happiness to my old eyes. Still working to get competent on the bass!

[@tikibongo99]

Thanks Jon. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@no1reallycaresabout2]

Definitely can hear The Fireballs' influence in The Belairs' sound
Fascinating interview; thanks for uploading

[@tikibongo99]

George Tomsco, Fireballs lead guitar player, came to OC twice that I know of, to play with the local surf musicians including PJ.

[@surfnsarangi]

LOVE THIS.

[@tikibongo99]

Thanks D

[@haikupoettt]

Hi Paul! so good to see and hear your (our) history,,, of course Eddie and I and (nextdoor-bud Robbie) were very close... and what GREATGREAT fun it was to be a part of those storied times and one of the Showmen! thanks for still being alive!! Big Aloha! -brett

[@tikibongo99]

Brett Brady , I presume ?

[@brettbrady4434]

@@tikibongo99 uhh...yeah.

[@tikibongo99]

I sent this video to PJ's email. Don't know if he watched it. @@brettbrady4434

[@brettbrady4434]

@@tikibongo99 yep

[@shazam6274]

I'm delighted to see PJ up and around. His website is gone. I listen to his tunes almost daily. Interesting tidbits about original band members. I love and admire this guy. Lucky to have this and thank you for posting it.
Very sad and disappointed about the crappy production: lighting, camera iris & white balance, audio etc. If it wasn't for YT AI captioning, would have missed most of what he said. If it wasn't for this being possibly his last public appearance, I would have clicked off this utterly disgusting and disrespectful video.

[@tikibongo99]

All during sg101, whoever was in charge of lighting had everyone on stage bathed in blue, green, pink, red. It was too much color. The audio is a mixture of my audio & a soundboard feed.

[@shazam6274]

@@tikibongo99 Unfortunately the mics were really bad, one too loud, PJ's barely audible. As for the phrase "in charge", it's more of an oxymoron (though probably without the "oxy"). Very unfortunate. I'm still glad this was posted, but the "people in charge" should be ashamed.

[@tikibongo99]

@@shazam6274 I was given a mono xlr mic feed from the soundboard. I was happy to get that. Some sound men aren't so accommodating & won't give me a feed.
JP was closer to his mic than PJ. Maybe that caused the db difference.