Who replaced Brian Wilson on tour in the late 1960s?

Bruce Johnston replaced Brian Wilson on the Beach Boys’ touring lineup in the late 1960s.

Brian Wilson withdrew from regular touring in early 1965 so he could focus on songwriting, recording, and production. Session musician Glen Campbell initially filled the touring role, but the Beach Boys then hired Bruce Johnston, a Columbia Records staff producer and musician, as Wilson’s permanent live replacement. Johnston joined the touring group in 1965 and remained part of its live and recording history through the late 1960s.

Johnston was more than a substitute performer. He contributed vocals and instrumentation to Beach Boys recordings, including “California Girls,” and later wrote songs such as “The Nearest Faraway Place,” “Tears in the Morning,” and “Disney Girls (1957).” Contractual issues meant he was not credited on an album cover until Wild Honey in 1967, even though he had already toured with the band.

Glen Campbell is the most common alternative answer because he briefly replaced Wilson before Johnston. Carl Wilson also became increasingly important onstage, but he was an original Beach Boy, not Brian’s touring replacement.