written by Gary Simmens
Photos by Donald B Kravitz
For five decades, The Beach Boys, America’s first pop band to reach the 50-year milestone, has recorded and performed the music that has become the world’s favorite soundtrack to summer. Founded in Hawthorne, California in 1961, The Beach Boys were originally comprised of the three teenaged Wilson brothers: Brian, Carl and Dennis, along with their cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine. In 1962, neighbor David Marks joined the group for their first wave of hits with Capitol Records, leaving in late 1963, and in 1965, Bruce Johnston joined the band when Brian Wilson retired from touring to focus on writing and producing for the group.
The Beach Boys signed with Capitol Records in July 1962 and released their first album, Surfin’ Safari, that same year. The album spent 37 weeks on the Billboard chart, launching the young group known for its shimmering vocal harmonies and relaxed California style into international stardom. The Wilson/Love collaboration resulted in many huge international chart hits, and under Brian Wilson’s musical leadership, the band’s initial surf-rock focus was soon broadened to include many other themes, helping make The Beach Boys America’s preeminent band of the 1960s.
Impressively, The Beach Boys continue to hold Billboard/Nielsen SoundScan’s record as the top-selling American band for albums and singles, and they are also the American group with the most Billboard Top 40 chart hits. Sounds Of Summer: The Very Best Of The Beach Boys has achieved triple-platinum sales status and The SMiLE Sessions, released to worldwide critical acclaim and has been heralded as 2011’s #1 Reissue of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and recipients of The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award, The Beach Boys are a beloved American institution that remains iconic around the world.
The Beach Boys came on stage with 9 musicians. Aside from the main keyboard player and the bass player, everyone sang either harmony or lead vocals on at least some of the songs. The Hard Rock was packed and the Beach Boys did not disappoint, pounding out 33 songs in a 2 hour and 2 minute set. There were fans from 8-years-old to over 80-years-old in the crowd, singing along to hit after hit. Beach balls flew through the air, bouncing around in the summer crowd to the beat of the classics. The set started out with ” Do it Again”, “Safari,” and “Catch a Wave.” It was non-stop upbeat vibes for 7 songs, before the band took a pause to talk to the audience. Lead Singer Mike Love mentioned the band performed a beach concert on July 4,1983 in Atlantic City, which drew a record crowd.
Love also has a solo album out now and mixed in two songs, including “Pisces” from it in the 33 song set list. They also did a tribute to former Beatle group member George Harrison, who Mike Love was good friends with. He vacationed in India with George and the Beatles years ago. Both Harrison and Love are “Pisces brothers” he said, so he wrote the new song “Pisces” as a tribute to Harrison. The band also did a nice arrangement twist to the Beatles classic “Here Comes The Sun.” Then timeless hits kept coming from “California Girls,” “Sloop John B,” “Rhonda,” “Barbara Ann,” “Rock Roll,” “Summer Blues,” and “Vibes,” to their Number one smash hit “Kokomo.” Next was “Rockaway,” and their last song was “Fun, Fun, Fun” as an encore.
Particularly strong vocals came all night long from member Brian Eichenberger who joined the Beach Boys in 2015, after playing guitar and singing from 1996 to 2014 with the group the Four Freshman. His high range vocals were spot on all night and especially showcased in the acapella style song he did with 3 other band members. The crowd left happy, feeling they got their money’s worth and then some! Many concert attendees commenting they were seeing the Beach Boys for the 14th time, or 25th time. Others said they finally got it off their bucket list, and were grateful to see the legendary band.
Upcoming entertainment lineup in the Mark Etess Arena at Hard Rock is:
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, August 2
Brad Paisley, August 9
Keith Urban, August 17
