Bruce Johnston

Bruce Arthur Johnston, born Benjamin Baldwin on June 27, 1942, is an American singer, musician, and songwriter known for being a member of the Beach Boys. He has also collaborated on various records with Terry Melcher, his bandmate in Bruce & Terry, the Rip Chords, and California Music. Johnston is credited with composing the 1975 Barry Manilow hit, "I Write the Songs". Hailing from Illinois, he grew up in Los Angeles and received early training in classical piano. In high school, he arranged and played on his first hit record, Sandy Nelson's "Teen Beat" (1959). Johnston joined the Beach Boys in 1965, initially stepping in for Brian Wilson, and contributed as a vocalist on "California Girls" (1965). He has since provided original material for the group's albums.