Call him Blackie from “General Hospital,” Uncle Jesse on “Full House” or “ER” doctor Tony Gates, or even Jimmy Martino from his recent sitcom “Grandfathered,” but whatever you do, call John Stamos a fan of the Beach Boys. When he was still a teen, Stamos – a Cypress native who played drums in the John F. Kennedy High School marching band – saw his first Beach Boys concert, and later became friends with his musical heroes. Since then, he’s joined the band on stage for hundreds of shows. On November 7 he’s set to join them again for the Goodwill Gala at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point, which will raise funds for people living with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Coast nabbed Stamos for a quick conversation.
Coast: This is, what, the second year you’ve done the Goodwill Gala?
JS: Yes, this is the second year I’ve participated in the Goodwill Gala. My first time was last year in Dana Point, for the 90th anniversary of Goodwill of Orange County, to raise money for the nonprofit’s local programs for young veterans and people with disabilities.
Coast: What about the event, and the charity, is near and dear to your heart?
JS: I got involved because my brother-in-law Frank Talarico Jr. is the CEO of Goodwill of Orange County. Frank shares stories with me about all the people who are served by the great work of Goodwill. I’m also impressed by how the people gain enthusiasm and confidence from their jobs at Goodwill.
Coast: You might be the world’s best-known Beach Boys groupie. You’ve played with them off and on for more than half your life, right? Have your favorite numbers changed over time?
JS: My first performance with the Beach Boys was over 30 years ago. It was July Fourth and we played for about a million people at the base of the Washington Monument. My favorite Beach Boys songs change constantly … they are all so classic, and you can’t beat those harmonies.
Coast: Are they ever going to let you solo, John?
JS: I’d much rather hear them sing … it’s about those harmonies!
Coast: You are one of OC’s brightest home-gown stars. The place has changed a lot — what do you miss from when you were a kid?
JS: I lived just eight minutes from Knott’s Berry Farm and 20 minutes from Disneyland. I spent my childhood going to those parks, and I miss them.
Coast: Sure you’re playing a (charming, very handsome) grandfather on your new show, but tell us: Will you always be a kid at heart?
JS: I hope I will always be a kid at heart! Full of pure imagination.
