u/Come_On_And_Tell_Me — reddlx

Oh how we love this band. But oh how frustrating it is to know how many poor decisions they've made over the years. Here's a load I can think of, perhaps you might know some more?

A myriad of things around 1967. Abandoning SMiLE, not playing Monterey Pop Festival, both of which set Smiley Smile and Wild Honey up for failure. It was like they were old news overnight.
Continuing to wear the matching uniforms while on tour all through this period. Like, what were they doing. It was old hat. They should've co-ordinated their outfits, not matched them. It made them look like squares.
Also continuing to play anything pre-1965 on their tours. California Girls should've been the big pre-Pet Sounds track they played. The surfing or car songs should absolutely not have been played by 1967.
The Maharishi associations.
The Charles Manson connection.
After regaining so much credibility from 1970-1973, reverting back to an oldies band. And by this extension...
...losing Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar. They elevated the band to new performing heights. What a shame they had to lose them so quickly.
The constant throwbacks to the good ole days from 15 Big Ones onwards.
Not giving Dennis more creative freedom.
Shelving Adult/Child.
Ploughing ahead with Summer In Paradise when more involvement from Carl, Brian and Al would've made it a better album.
Not making a Brian/Andy Paley album but instead recording Stars and Stripes Vol. 1.
Passing on a Pet Sounds 30th anniversary tour.
Allowing the 50th anniversary tour to end when it did, not trying to finish the story more wholesomely. Maybe the wholesome end was them toasting on the beach in the documentary?

Alright what have you all got? I feel like I've missed out loads. Can anyone name any real poor decisions before 1967? I feel like they were riding high up to this moment.