Carl and the Passions – "So Tough" time, decided to spice up the structure of The Beach Boys by hiring third guitarist Blondie Chaplin, whose soulful singing brought a strong R&B element into the band's sound. Drummer and singer-songwriter Ricky Fataar also joined at this time, as Dennis Wilson had suffered a debilitating hand accident. Both South Africans, Blondie and Ricky were discovered by Carl while playing in seminal South African band the Flames in London, c. 1969. The album sees the Beach Boys entering a period of roots-based rock. Not long after the sessions began, Bruce Johnston had a falling out with manager Jack Rieley and
Carl and the Passions – "So Tough" released in 1980 on "Keepin' the Summer Alive." Johnston has said that his only musical contribution on the released album is as a background vocalist on "Marcella". Brian Wilson sporadically contributed to the album's sessions, distracted by the production and promotion of the debut album of American Spring titled "Spring". The extent of his contributions for "Carl and the Passions - "So Tough"" were his collaboration on the writing of three songs and the recording of both vocal and instrumental tracks. Two songs were written and sung by Fataar and Chaplin. Dennis Wilson also contributed two songs which he wrote