#music, Great American Bands Part 4: The Beach Boys!

Without a doubt, for me The Beach Boys were the ultimate American band! They came in second only to The Beatles, and that is saying a lot because, as you have seen, if you have been following the series, I like many American bands. But these guys, who transformed themselves from the early 60’s boy band singing doo-wop, to tremendous artists, led by the genius of Brian Wilson, always managed to be at the forefront of popular music. Hell, Brian Wilson’s magic (the album Pet Sounds) even influenced Paul McCartney and guided him to create Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band…

Okay, a little background. These lads got together in Los Angeles, California in 1961. Led by Brian Wilson, they managed to find a way to mix jazz, doo-wop, and early rock and roll into their unique sound. The original band was formed like this: Brian Wilson (composer, vocals, bass and piano); his brother Carl Wilson (guitars and vocals); other brother Dennis Wilson (drums, vocals); cousin Mike Love (vocals); a friend, Al Jardine (vocals, guitar). A little later another friend of the group, Bruce Johnston joined them playing bass, singing and playing the piano. He substituted Brian Wilson on tour and on live gigs.

(Surviving members of The Beach Boys/Closer Weekly)

In 1966, with their album Pet Sounds and their single «Good Vibrations» they placed themselves as the greatest innovators of rock. Imagine that! More than The Beatles! These lads were phenomenal. But, and there is always a but, as the 1980’s approached there was much infighting in the band, and the band, the only band that ever challenged The Beatles, began to fall apart. Later on there were legal battles, including for the use of the name… but the original Beach Boys, sans Carl and Wilson, whom we lost along the way, got together in 2011 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band. They also edited and produced the 2012 album That’s Why God Made the Radio.

This is their discography:

1962: Surfin’ Safari
1963: Surfin’ USA
1963: Surfer Girl
1963: Little Deuce Coupe
1964: Shut Down Volume 2
1964: All Summer Long
1964: The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album
1965: The Beach Boys Today!
1965: Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!)
1965: Beach Boys’ Party!
1966: Pet Sounds
1967: Smiley Smile
1967: Wild Honey
1968: Friends
1969: 20/20
1970: Sunflower
1971: Surf’s Up
1972: Carl and the Passions – «So Tough»
1973: Holland
1976: 15 Big Ones
1977: Love You
1978: M.I.U. Album
1979: L.A. (Light Album)
1980: Keepin’ the Summer Alive
1985: THE BEACH BOYS
1989: Still Cruisin’
1992: Summer in Paradise
1996: Stars and Stripes Vol. 1
2012: That’s Why God Made the Radio