The Beach Boys

Curiously, only one of the original Beach Boys knew how to surf. But that didn’t stop the group from becoming one of the ‘60s’ most successful acts. While their early recordings were mostly about navigating teen problems like parents and school, it didn’t take long for the Beach Boys – led by main songwriter Brian Wilson – to start fretting about more adult concerns. Influenced by Chuck Berry, Phil Spector and the Beatles, Wilson’s songs grew increasingly more complex, peaking with 1966’s ‘Pet Sounds,’ one of the most gorgeous and influential albums ever made. Wilson soon tried to top himself, but suffered a breakdown trying to shape ‘Smile’ into the masterpiece he was hearing in his head (it was finally completed in 2011). The group has had its ups and downs over the past 40 years, but its 2012 50th-anniversary reunion album and tour with Wilson was a triumph.

The Beach Boys, 'Made in California' - Album Review
The Beach Boys, 'Made in California' - Album Review
The Beach Boys, 'Made in California' - Album Review
The Beach Boys' 2012 reunion album was released during the group's 50th-anniversary celebration. But more than just marking a milestone, 'That's Why God Made the Radio' strapped itself into a time capsule and did its best to rocket itself back to 1962 or at least to 1967 (or maybe 1972).
Mike Love Wasn't Happy With the Beach Boys Reunion
Mike Love Wasn't Happy With the Beach Boys Reunion
Mike Love Wasn't Happy With the Beach Boys Reunion
Plenty of Beach Boys fans are disappointed with the way the band's much-ballyhooed 50th-anniversary tour, which ended with Brian Wilson, Al Jardine and David Marks "fired" from the lineup, and Mike Love continuing to perform with his own version of the group. But as it turns out, Love has been feeling pretty let down about their reunion almost since it started.
Mike Love Wants Brian Wilson Back in the Beach Boys
Mike Love Wants Brian Wilson Back in the Beach Boys
Mike Love Wants Brian Wilson Back in the Beach Boys
Last year, as the Beach Boys' 50th-anniversary tour wrapped up, Mike Love announced that the group would be hitting the road again, but without original members Al Jardine, David Marks and leader Brian Wilson. This pretty much amounted to being fired, Wilson said at the time. ''I don't know how that sacking controversy started," Love recently told The Daily Star. "I'd love to work with B
45 Years Ago: The Beach Boys’ ‘Friends’ Album Released
45 Years Ago: The Beach Boys’ ‘Friends’ Album Released
45 Years Ago: The Beach Boys’ ‘Friends’ Album Released
"'Pet Sounds' is by far my very best album, though my favorite is 'Friends'," writes Brian Wilson in the liner notes of the CD reissue of the latter album. "I think that the Beach Boys sound was developing right along. I had developed a sixth sense for everybody's voices."

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