Beach Boys

American rock group

The American rock group Beach Boys defined the 1960s idyll of sunny California. The group was known for its rich vocal harmonies and the lyrics where mainly about surfing, cars and love.
The band was formed in 1961 and the original members were Dennis Wilson, Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Michel Love and Alan Jardine.
At first the band was regarded as just a pop-band, but later the group gained greater respect, because of the band's ability to express the middle-class aspirations.

Surfin' Safari

Dennis Wilson was a dedicated surfer and introduced the main theme for songs like "Surfin' Safari" and "Surfin' USA".
After a series of drug-related breakdowns in 1964, Brian Wilson withdrew from touring and was replaced by Glen Campbell.

Good Vibrations

Brian concentrated on the studio work and produced the band's masterpiece "Pet Sounds" in 1966. Later Paul McCartney acknowledged that this album inspired him for the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".
The famous Beach Boys hit-record "Good Vibrations" reached number one in the autumn of 1966 and more records followed. Brian became a hermit and experimented with drugs more and more. The group went on without Brian. More records were released and in 1974 a greatest hits compilation "Endless Summer" reached number one in the charts.

Nostalgia group

By the mid-80s the Beach Boys had become a nostalgia group. Surfer Dennis drowned off the California coast in 1983.
In 1988 the group scored another hit with "Kokomo" from the soundtrack of the motion picture "Cocktail".

Carl Wilson

Carl Wilson died of cancer in 1998. Brian Wilson finally got out of his dark work and produced some records like "Imagination" and "The Wilsons".
The Beach Boys sold more than 70 million albums and were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

Selected Discography

The Greatest Hits Vol. 1: 20 Good Vibrations
Pet Sounds
Sunflower/Surf's Up
15 Big Ones/Love You
In Concert
Good Vibrations: Thirty Years Of The Beach Boys [BOX SET]