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Surfing 'n' singing
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The Beach Boys once embodied the California teen spirit
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One of the greatest American rock bands ever, the Beach Boys sold over 65 million records across the world. They are credited as pioneers of California rock, their songs celebrating the teenage psyche of that southern state — driving, dating and surfing. They graduated to grown-up themes in the Sixties and showed a revival in the Nineties with nostalgia.
The group comprised of siblings Brian (vocals, bass, piano), Dennis (vocals, drums) and Carl Wilson (vocals, guitar), their cousin Mike Love (vocals, percussion) and schoolmate Al Jardine (vocals, guitar). Although only Dennis surfed regularly, their early hits such as Surfin, Surfin Safari, Surfin USA, Surfer girl and Sweet Little Sixteen dwelt on the theme and occupied the charts in positions ranging from No.14 to No. 3.
Their fame and fortune grew as they churned out several other hits, such as Little Deuce Coupe (No. 15), Be true to your school (6) and Fun, Fun, Fun (5), that Love and Brian wrote in a taxi to Salt Lake City airport, I get around (1), Dance, Dance, Dance (8), Help me Rhonda (1), California Girls (3), 1963-65 being a very productive period for their hits.
The album Pet Sounds contained Caroline, No, Wouldn't it be nice and God only knows, was critically acclaimed but didn't sell to expectations. Such was its quality that Paul McCartney and Beatles producer George Martin acknowledged that it inspired Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The band peaked with Good Vibrations, in 1966, Brian Wilson's production taking six months, costing $16,000, its sounds being distinct with instruments as exotic as sleigh bells, harpsichord and Jew's harp. Brian's ambitions were spurred by drugs and neuroses, making way for the entry of Bruce Johnston, who had joined the touring initially.
One of the first to perform behind the Iron Curtain, the Beach Boys had a show in Czechoslovakia. In the 70s, they released their records on their own Brother label. Their immensely popular oldies dominated their live shows and subsequent songs such as Do it again, I can hear music, Long promised road and Till I die, were low on the charts but contributed to their greater body of highly appreciated work.
Public clashes between Dennis Wilson and Love cut into the band's progress, the 80s witnessing much turmoil. On December 28, 1983, Dennis drowned in Marina Del Rey, California and his body was buried at sea. In June 2000, Brian was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Carl Wilson was diagnosed with cancer in 1997 and died a year later. Al Jardine received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2001.
A. GEORGE ANTONY
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