The Beach Boys were formed in 1961.

 

They recorded for a minor label in California. At the end of the year, they played a Richie Valens Memorial concert as the Beach Boys. They went on to receive national acclaim in the United States until the fall of 1967  Thus, there first era of commercial success was nearly 6 and 1/2 years. During that time, they had 8 for 8 albums that went gold. They had 15 albums that were commercially successful. In 1962, Alan Jardine left the band to pursue a pre-dental undergraduate major in  a college or university in Michigan. The other members finished high school and attended a local community college for awhile until the commercial demands became too great. David Marks replaced Jardine for about a year. SURFIN’ SAFARI, their first album with EMI Capitol went to #32 on the charts. By 1963, the band had come into it’s own popularity with three big albums: SURFIN’USA,SURFER GIRL, and LITTLE DEUCE COUPE. The last two were released within a month of each other. All were extremely successful endeavors. They were now playing to sell out crowds and Jardine returned to the band. 1964 was an incredible year. SHUT DOWN#2, ALL SUMMER LONG, CONCERT, and CHRISTMAS album all were top sellers. Brian who was both performing and creating much of the music not surprisingly, had a nervous breakdown. The group had their first tour in the UK. By 1965, the band had the Midas touch. Again, TODAY, SUMMER DAYS, and PARTY were commercially successful. The second two albums were more reflective and mature. With SUMMER DAYS, they had 8 for 8 golds in 26 months.In 1966, the legendary PET SOUNDS was released and became a top ten hit. However, Captiol executives panicked because the album did not go gold. Out came the first BEST OF compilations. It quickly went gold. MUSICAL EXPRESS ranked the Beach Boys as the No.1 band in UK.Good Vibrations was #1. Brian was defined as a genius.

 

1967 was the summer of love, and a major demarcation in music emerged. Gone were the days of classic rock and big band music. Ozzie and Harriet died.The Beach Boys’ suburban Americana died with  it. SMILEY SMILE was released and the commercial momentum in the USA cease to exist. In the UK, the same album went to #10. BEST OF #2,went to #3 in UK. By 1968, WILD HONEY put the group back in the mainstream, but they were to start their long march in the dessert. They toured with the Maharishi Yogi, but the tour was still born. Fans wanted music. To make matters worse, Charles Manson entered the group. Life was hell on earth. In 1969, 20/20 and look alike CLOSE UP were released. The first went to #3 in England. Carl Wilson opposed the war in Viet Nam.

 

By 1970, SUNFLOWER AND GREATEST HITS did well in the UK. The group surprised fans at the Big Sur. James Taylor and Dennis Wilson starred in TWO LANE BLACK TOP in 1971.The group jammed with THE GRATEFUL DEAD. SURF’S UP was a critical and commercial success. The group began moving back into popularity, but Brian  retreated to his mansion filled with sand, tent, and juke box on the first floor. In 72’, SO TOUGH went  to #25 in the UK and in 73’ HOLLAND was a critical success. GREATEST on  Ronco did  very well. 1974 was really like 1964. Both years, were incredible for the group ENDLESS SUMMER went to # 1. It was gold and  stayed on the charts for over 2 and 1/2 years.Every one wanted the Beach Boys including Elton John, Chicago, BJ Thomas, Todd Rundgren and others. Beachmania. Imitators arrived on the scene. EMI Capitol quickly distributed two-fers. There was lots of product. By 1975, SPIRIT OF AMERICA and GOOD VIBRATIONS topped the charts, and in 1976 15 BIG ONES and 20 GOLDEN GREATS hit the top .By 1977, BEACH BOYS 69’ and OCEAN PACIFIC BLUE did well, but LOVE YOU stopped momentum again. 1978, saw Mike Love on his own with successful ALMOST SUMMER and MIU charts. 1979 was the year of the innovative L A LIGHT album. Good Timin’  was a top 40 hit and Lady Lynda goes to #6 in UK.

 

The Beach Boys entertained the world on the 4th of July in 1980. KEEPIN’ THE SUMMER ALIVE charted. John Lennon was killed. Carl Wilson in 1981 went on his own as his album CARL WILSON charted. Beach Boys Medley was nearly a top ten hit. By 82’ TEN YEARS OF HARMONY and SUNSHINE DREAM charted. In 83’ Dennis Wilson drowned and was buried at sea. VERY BEST tops the UK. AN AMERICAN BAND a video was released which was about the Beach Boys. The group also recorded with the Four Seasons in 1984. 1985 saw  BEACH BOYS 85 sell over 300,000 albums world wide. Brian was in good health. MADE IN USA went gold in 86’ and sentimental favorite California Dreamin’ topped the AC chart. Wipe Out by Fat Boys and Beach Boys went to #2 in the UK. in 1987. 1988 was a wonderful  year!!! Kokomo went to #1 and BRIAN WILSON was a critical hit. Alas, in 1989, on the strength of numerous sound track hits from the 80’s, STILL CRUISIN’ went gold. 

 

The 1990’s began with a story by ABC on Brian’s psychologist. Law suits emerged. Crocodile Rock went to #5 in Spain. PET SOUNDS also charted again. 1991 was  also the year of a controversial book by  Brian called WOULDN’T IT BE NICE. Perhaps the last original album SUMMER IN PARADISE was released and Hot Fun In the Summer Time topped AC chart in 1992. 1993 was another good year as the box set THRITY YEARS OF GOOD VIBRATIONS went gold and was a critical hit. This is about their 4th incarnation of success. 1994, a Wilson-Love lawsuit was resolved with Mike getting credit for numerous early Beach Boys songs. 1995, 20 VIBES is released. BEST OF goes to #25 in UK. I JUST WASN’T MADE FOR THESE TIMES and PET SOUNDS chart in England. In 1996, GREATEST HITS charted. 1997, Carl Wilson was diagnosed with cancer but was in remission. Audree Wilson died. STARS AND STRIPES went to #17 on the charts. There was an excellent  Disney documentary. The band released SALUTE TO NASCAR. They also played on TOOL TIME sit com. PET SOUND SESSIONS was released to critical success.  THE WILSONS was released, along with a JAZZ TRIBUTE TO BRIAN WILSON. 1998, Carl Dean Wilson died of cancer as did Lady Linda McCartney. PERFECT HARMONY was released and IMAGINATION by Brian Wilson  became available.  A revised band without the Wilsons or Jardine opened  the Super Bowl with Surfin’ USA and Be True to Your Team. Are Happy Days Here Again? 2001 will mark the 40th anniversary. The saga continues.

 

90% of  America know the Beach Boys. And so it goes.

 

special thanks to : Rees and Crampton, THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ROCK STARS