The Beach Boys have been coming out with hits since the ’60s, and they have cemented themselves in the music industry as one of the most influential bands of their time.
Originally comprised of brothers Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, as well as Mike Love, and Al Jardine, the band made their mark with their surfer sound.
Jardine left the group in 1962, only to reunite with them again. Sadly, Dennis died from a drowning accident in 1983, and Brian’s death was announced on June 11 at the age of 82.
Still, The Beach Boys legacy lives on, and they gave fans several unforgettable moments throughout their years.
The Beach Boys’ 50th Anniversary Tour
In 2012, the surviving members of The Beach Boys reunited for their 50th anniversary. “It’s great, are you kidding me?” Mike Love told AP that year.
“We got an opportunity to do a tour and a new album, and we’ve been at it for 50 years, and we’re blessed,” he said.
“I can’t count how many times people come up to me after shows and said, ‘I’ve sung my children to sleep to Surfer Girl,'” David Marks recalled.
“For some reason, people want to see us all together,” Love added. Brian said, “They sense that we love each other, you know. And that we really want to share that love with them.”
During the 50th anniversary concert, The Beach Boys sang their hits, “I Get Around,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Good Vibrations,” and “Help Me Rhonda,” to name a few.
“As someone who grew up with them, in the car/surf/music craze of early 60s Southern California beach cities, WHAT A TIME MACHINE!!! Thanks guys! At 77, it’s refreshing to know their music will survive my time on this earth….” a fan wrote on YouTube.
Brian Wilson Performed Songs From the Lost ‘SMiLE’ Album
The Beach Boys’ album “SMiLE” was scrapped in 1967 due to creative differences, legal issues, and Brian’s mental health struggles.
However, in 2002, Brian revisited the album, and told Rolling Stone two years later, “It took courage. We worked on it little by little, week by week, until finally we got it right.”
He shared, “The creative process blows me out. It’s an amazing trip. Amazing. Just amazing. I’m older, wiser, more knowledgeable than I used to be, so I can get it together pretty quick.”
Brian’s “SMiLE” concert, which was shared by CapitalQ on YouTube was met with love from fans.
“The genuine smile on Brian’s face during the standing ovation after ‘Surf’s Up’ broke me … it took 40 years but he got the love and recognition he always hoped this record would bring. I saw this tour in 2005 and remains the best performance I’ve ever seen,” one wrote.
Another replied, “I was privileged to go to two of these ‘Smile’ shows in Southern California. Two of the best shows I’ve ever seen by any artist. I got a bit misty at times during the set as we witnessed Brian’s long-delayed dream come true on stage!”
The Beach Boys Received a Lifetime Achievement Award
While The Beach Boys never received a Grammy for their many hits, the group was given a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.
Although there was some discord between the members, Brian told Rolling Stone, “It is a great honor.” He added, “The group split up a little bit after Carl died. We didn’t officially make any statements about it, but I think people have figured it out for themselves. It’s too bad.”
In 2023, The Beach Boys received a salute during the Grammy Awards, with singers Charlie Puth, Pentatonix, Brandi Carlile, and John Legend recreating the band’s biggest hits.
“The reason the music has stood the test of time is the genius in the songwriting and the beautiful voices, the harmonies we created. Can’t give enough credit to Brian,” Jardine told the Grammys.
He added, “It’s a great honor to be here and associate with him.”
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The Beach Boys’ Notable Moments Over the Years