About The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys have been called “The First Great American Rock Band.” They Wilson brothers, Brian, Carl and Dennis, learned to sing in their signature style of tight vocal harmony by singing in their bedroom as children. Later, they formed a band in their garage, along with cousin, Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine. Initially managed by their father, the band quickly became the best known "surf rock” group in the world.
Their debut album, Surfin’ Safari, was released in 1962 on Capitol Records. Brian Wilson was credited with writing nine of the twelve tracks. The album had only moderate success nationally, peaking at #32 on the Billboard top 100, but the band became instantly popular on the California surf scene. The title track and another single, “409,” are still staples at any Beach Boys concert today.
The band was incredibly productive during its earliest years. The beach boys released three studio albums per year in 1963, 1964 and 1965, with a staggering number of hit singles, including “Surfin’ U.S.A,” “Surfer Girl,” “LIttle Deuce Coupe,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “California Girls,” “Barbara Ann,” and number one hits “I Get Around,” and “Help Me, Rhonda.”
With all these hits, the world was clamoring for a Beach Boys tour, and the band obliged. In addition to their studio schedule, the band toured extensively in North America, Europe and Australia. This took its toll on the band, especially Brian Wilson, who began to suffer anxiety attacks. He quit touring with the band and concentrated on writing and production.
Initially, Brian’s move to production was a success. 1966’s Pet Sounds became one of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time. It contains some of the band’s most memorable songs, such as “God Only Knows,” “Sloop John B,” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.”
But Brian’s growing problems with substance abuse and emotional instability, as well as his reluctance to tour, created a rift with the rest of the band. Projects and appearances were cancelled or postponed, and their record label dropped them, despite another number one hit, “Good Vibrations.”
In the 1970s, under a new label, the band continued to produce albums but without the massive success of earlier efforts. The band instead concentrated on live performances, and Beach Boys concert tickets were always hot sellers. Their old label released a compilation album, 1974’s Endless Summer, which swiftly rose to #1 on the charts. Unfortunately, by the end of the decade, all three Wilson brothers were struggling with addiction, and more conflicts grew between them. The band essentially broke up, and members became embroiled in legal battles with each other over royalties and songwriting credits. In 1983, Dennis Wilson drowned after an all-day drinking binge.
Even during all this conflict, the band continued to tour and record. In 1988, the band had their last #1 single with “Kokomo” and their album, Still Cruisin’, went platinum.
In 1998, The Beach Boys was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That same year, Carl Wilson died of cancer. Two different bands started touring, both using the name “The Beach Boys.” One was fronted by Mike Love and other by “Al Jardine.” More lawsuits ensued. Then, in 2012, the remaining members reunited for The 50th Anniversary Tour, along with a corresponding live album.
In 2020, The Beach Boys are still cruising! You can see them when they visit a city near you, and you’ll find great seats to all The Beach Boys concerts today at Ticket Network.