I dont know anyone who can’t name the BEATLES…. John Paul George and Ringo….but how many Americans know the names of the Beach boys? I recently came across my BEST of the Beach Boys Vol 1 album which includes such hits as Surfer Girl, Kiss Me Baby, Warmth of the Sun, Surfin USA, Fun Fun Fun, In My Room, Wendy, and Little Duece Coupe. On the front cover are the five founding members of the band. I looked at the pictures and recalled the day I bought the album, wondering which names went with which pictures. The Three Wilson brothers, Brian, Carl, and Dennis all had studio headsets and there were no lables to indicate which was which. I had to ask a friend in the seventh grade their names. I thot the name Mike Love was pretty cool mostly for its simplicity, and noticed that Brian Wilson and Mike Love were given credits for most of the songs. Al Jardine was the final member of the band and was the shortest one and by the photos seemed to be pretty intense as they sang in that studio.
I took the time to learn their names and followed them until….well until now…Just as we all knew when the Beatles broke up and started singing solo albums. I kept track of the drama in Beach Boy Land. when PET SOUNDS came out and included God Only Knows, Wouldnt it be nice, Sloop John B and Caroline No….a new sound emerged which is said to have influenced the making of the Beatles classic Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club band… during this transformation another permanent member Bruce Johnston began to replace Brian Wilson on tour…the SIX Beach Boys continued to make music thruout the seventies when Brian was nearly missing in action due to his heavy drug dependency. The last Live performance which ALL of the orignal Beach Boys were present was in Knebworth England in 1980….
Two years later Dennis Wilson the drummer drowned diving from his boat while trying to recover some items he had thrown overboard in anger. The band continued without Dennis, and Brian who was in a rehab program during the Eightys. Carl Wilson became the band’s leader and Mike Love, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston continued to tour and record…Their most notable non Brian Wilson Hit, one which came 22 years after their last number one (Good Vibrations in 66) was Kokomo. When Carl Wilson contracted Cancer in 1995 and died in 1998, the Beach boys split up…Mike Love pushed Al Jardine out, and leased the name BEACH BOYS. He and Bruce Johnston tour playing mostly the oldies about cars, girls and surfing… Brian and Al Jardine Formed their own bands and often play together even up until 2007… Currently Brian is on tour in Europe…a Video clip can be seen by accessing my music list on the right. I love the talent of Brian Wilson…the consistency of Al, and the legacy of the two other Wilson brothers…Carl was simply incredible as he sang the tour versions of God only Knows and Darlin’ In 2004 Brian finished the most famous unreleased Album "Smile" an eclectic album which includes Good Vibrations, Heroes and Villans and my favorite "Surfs up"…
Today while the Mike Love Bruce Johnston Beach Boy band tours as an oldies band…the Brian Wilson band joins with such greats as Elton John in performing a more sophisticated mix of Beach Boy Music. I have noted that the Brian Wilson Band sounds MORE like the recorded studio tunes than the original Beach Boys did while ON TOUR…Tho nothing is ever quite as good as the ORIGINAL….Brian’s latest efforts come pretty dang close…and he does it LIVE..
A tribute to Carl… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNPo9uBddao
A little about Dennis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM1Nxn2SqyQ and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fCWIjsFSvk&mode=related&search=
Listen to Brian in a recording session http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORsDFS_SaLc www.brianwilson.com for an autobiographical composition …there are TWO new songs off his NEW album from 2007 being recorded for release next month
Two songs…. featuring first Mike Love, (sumahama) second Al Jardine. (Lady Lynda) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksieNCXVH-k
Thanks for this interesting history!
Though most, well let\’s face it, ALL of the Beach Boys\’ hits were before my time, I WELL remember Kokomo as it was the ONLY thing they played on the radio my freshman year in college…well that, and "Don\’t Worry, Be Happy"! OY! Happy Thursday!
A few years ago I saw Brian Wilson in concert as a warm-up act for Paul Simon. Brian Wilson was the real reason I went to the concert and he didn\’t disappoint. Although he looked awkward and even scared behind his keyboard his music was thrilling. The music seemed much more genuine and heartfelt than the couple times I saw the erzatz "Beach Boys" in the late 70\’s, "Surf\’s Up" days. "Wouldn\’t it be Nice" still had the feel of youthful innocence, "Good Vibrations" (with an actual Theramin) sounded as bouncy and as lively as ever, and hearing "Heroes and Villains" from "Smile" was astounding. It was the first time I ever heard it and the song is still with me. No lie, this was as good as hearing Mahler or Verdi; it was a glimpse into the mind of a genius, unfortunately short circuited.
Wow, thanks for helping me pull up the memory of that concert. It deserved to be revisited.
My two granddaughters (10 and 7) always ask me to play "Good Vibrations" in the car. We sing along, laugh and our spirits are filled with happiness with Beach Boys music and that interesting sound of the Theramin. Great history, thotman!
I am one who could not name the Beach Boys individually. But then again I used to think the Bay City Rollers was a roller derby team.
In spite of my ignorance, I got my kids hooked on BB music. Have a CD in the car and everything. I\’ve decided the car is where kids memorize music.
-bm
Hi Russ,
Great, great recap here of all the Beach Boys members.
The original band was perhaps the most influential group for me as a teenager.
The Surfin USA album was perhaps one of the most memorable LPs I recall owning.
Like many of die-hard fans, I had every song memorized. I also was lead singer in a high school band and we played their music.
~Nooner~
I don\’t think I could name all of them, but as a teenager, they were my forite group. Thanks for the memories!
Kent
Wonderful blog. I loved the Beach Boys. I still listen to their old records. It\’s really sad when great bands breakup. I loved the Eagles too, and couldn\’t get enough of the album they did together after all those years solo, Hell Freezes Over. May all the great old bands play forever in the hereafter. Take care, Thotman.
To me ,I am more familiar with the Beatles.
Your blog let me know there was a pioneer band in the History of American music.I think there must be something different between them.
May all are well with you,
Best regards.