History Music / TheBeachBoys

* 1971 - ''Music/SurfsUp''

* Terence "Blondie" Chaplin - lead vocals, guitar, bass (1972–73)
* [[Music/TheRutles Ricky Fataar]] - lead vocals, drums, guitar, flute (1972–74)

During this time, Brian receded into the background, pushing the other members to begin composing songs in his absence. It was at this point that the band began to splinter into two different creative camps, with Carl and Dennis on one side, advocating more experimental music, and Mike and Al on the other, preferring to stick with the formula. Brian was the swing vote. Things eventually would come to a head when Mike obtained Brian's proxy vote, allowing him to outvote Carl and Dennis in all band-related matters. Meanwhile, in 1969 Murry Wilson, without the band's authorization, sold their entire song catalogue for the paltry, extremely undervalued sum of $750,000;[[note]]almost $5.2 million in 2018 money for a catalogue which is estimated to be worth at least $75 million today[[/note]] Brian has since suggested that Murry forged his signature on the sales documents. Despite a run of artistically brilliant albums right up to their 1973 album ''Music/{{Holland}}'', and line-up changes (Bruce Johnston leaving in 1972, with Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar of the Flames joining for a few years), they were considered passé in their home country. Brian was still in rough mental shape, and Murry's death from a heart attack at age 55 in 1973 was another blow to the group's morale.

** The ''California Saga'' from the ''Music/Holland'' album is divided in three songs, but its entire length is 10 minutes and 9 seconds.

* {{Garfunkel}}: Surprisingly averted; ''every'' band member bar David Marks had something to contribute in terms of writing. Even the widely reviled Mike Love wrote a good majority of the band's lyrics, and Al Jardine, widely regarded as a hanger on, was instrumental in the creation of "Sloop John B". Not to mention both of them wrote some of the best material on the band's 1973 opus ''Music/{{Holland}}''.

[[index]]

* 1973 - ''Music/{{Holland}}''

** Carl was noticeably chubby for most of his life due to a love of both snacking and alcohol overindulgence.

Numerous artists have cited them as a major influence, including Music/AnimalCollective, Music/TheRamones, Music/AliceCooper, Music/EltonJohn, Music/{{Weezer}}, Music/TheBeeGees, Music/DaftPunk, The Music/FlamingLips, basically the entire indie rock genre, and Music/TheBeatles themselves.

Murry Wilson, a Hawthorne, California factory foreman who also dabbled in songwriting, had three sons: Brian, Carl and Dennis. The Wilson boys sang together throughout their childhood, often joined by their cousin Mike Love, the son of Murry's sister. They occasionally played at school functions under various names such as Kenny and The Cadets, Carl and The Passions (later the title of one of their albums), and The Pendletones (after the Pendleton flannel shirts popular among [=SoCal=] surfers).

* ArtistAndTheBand: Early in their career, they had two side-projects bearing that kind of name: Kenny and The Cadets (a trio which had Music/AlJardine and Music/BrianWilson in its lineup) and the Music/CarlWilson-led Carl and The Passions, (whose name would be used as the title of the [[Music/CarlAndThePassionsSoTough album of the same name]]).

Murry Wilson, a Hawthorne, California factory foreman who also dabbled in songwriting, had three sons: Brian, Carl and Dennis. The Wilson boys sang together throughout their childhood, often joined by their cousin Mike Love, the son of Murry's sister. They occasionally played at school functions under various names such as Kenny and the Cadets, Carl and the Passions (later the title of one of their albums), and The Pendletones (after the Pendleton flannel shirts popular among [=SoCal=] surfers).

* AscendedExtra: Bruce Johnston quickly went from being a fill-in on tours to full-fledged band member. While he joined the group in 1965, pre-existing record-label contracts delayed his [[PromotionToOpeningTitles Promotion to Album Sleeves]] until 1967's ''Music/WildHoney''.

* ArtistAndTheBand: Early in their career, they had two side-projects bearing that kind of name: Kenny & The Cadets (a trio which had Music/AlJardine and Music/BrianWilson in its lineup) and the Music/CarlWilson-led Carl & The Passions, (whose name would be used as the title of the [[Music/CarlAndThePassionsSoTough album of the same name]]). However, Carl didn't recall that band to ever exist.

America's pre-eminent pop/rock band of TheSixties, The Beach Boys are often regarded as the nearest U.S. rival to Music/TheBeatles in that decade, both commercially and artistically. And contrary to what one might expect, they have one of the longest, oddest, and most fascinating stories of any band in rock history.

From there, however, the story becomes a long, tragic string of misfortunes. After ''Pet Sounds'' was released, Brian Wilson intended to top it with a revolutionary new album called ''Music/{{Smile|TheBeachBoys}}''. However, a series of increasingly destructive circumstances[[note]]pressure from Capitol to actually deliver the album, Brian's ailing psyche and his escalating drug abuse, a royalty lawsuit, Brian's confidence being destroyed by the relative commercial failure of "Heroes and Villains", and him becoming convinced that the Beach Boys could never top the Beatles after listening to ''Music/SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand''[[/note]] led to the album's cancellation in 1967. The band instead released ''Music/SmileySmile'', which combined what the rest of the band felt were the stronger ''Smile'' tracks with some new, supposedly more commercial material (as opposed to the "weirder" ''Smile'' songs). That album was, as Carl Wilson later described it, "a bunt instead of a grand slam", and the band's popularity plummeted in the US (although they remained huge elsewhere, especially Europe).

For much of the rest of the time, the surviving Beach Boys splintered into three units: The Beach Boys, which is essentially Mike Love & Bruce Johnston, who tour with the official sanction of Brother Records Inc.; Brian Wilson, who tours with a based round LA powerpop combo Wondermints and continues to record excellent music with them, including, at long last, his dream project ''Music/{{Smile|TheBeachBoys}}'' in 2004; and Al Jardine, who left the splintered remains of the original group after Carl's death and now tours with his son and an assortment of former Beach Boys sidemen known as Al Jardine's Endless Summer Band.

From there, however, the story becomes a long, tragic string of misfortunes. After ''Pet Sounds'' was released, Brian Wilson intended to top it with a revolutionary new album called ''Music/{{Smile|TheBeachBoys}}''. However, a series of increasingly destructive circumstances[[note]]pressure from Capitol to actually deliver the album, Brian's ailing psyche and his escalating drug abuse, a royalty lawsuit, Brian's confidence being destroyed by the relative commercial failure of "Heroes and Villains", and him becoming convinced that the Beach Boys could never top the Beatles after listening to ''Music/SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand''[[/note]] led to the album's cancellation in 1967. The band instead released ''Music/SmileySmile'', which combined what the rest of the band felt were the stronger ''Smile'' tracks with some new, supposedly more commercial material (as opposed to the "weirder" ''Smile'' songs). That album was, as Carl Wilson later described it, "a bunt instead of a grand slam", and the band's popularity plummeted in the U.S. (although they remained huge elsewhere, especially Europe).

Things started to look up in 1974 when Capitol Records released a GreatestHitsAlbum, ''Endless Summer'', which not only eventually went triple platinum and restored the band's commercial fares in the US, but also propelled them back into cultural relevance. They decided to start recording again and attempted to lure Brian Wilson back into the studio with them. During this time, Brian was being subjected to therapy under the control of Dr. Eugene Landy. Through his unconventional therapy, he was able to make Brian slightly healthier and willing to work with the group again. He produced two albums, ''15 Big Ones'' and ''Love You'' under this deal, and also re-appeared on stage with the band. But looking back, it's clear that Brian wasn't really well enough to do that sort of thing again, and he started slipping back into his former habits. Mike Love took over leadership of the band at this point, which many regard as the point at which the band started {{jumping the shark}}, though he wasn't really in charge in the studio until the late-1980s. By the end of 1978, Bruce Johnston was back permanently.

During this time, Brian receded into the background, pushing the rest of the band to begin writing songs in his absence. It was at this point that the band began to splinter into two different creative camps. Carl and Dennis on one side, advocating more experimental music and Mike and Al on the other, who preferred to stick with the formula. Brian was the swing vote. Things eventually would come to a head when Mike obtained Brian's proxy vote, which allowed him to outvote Carl and Dennis in all band related matters. In 1969 Murry Wilson, without the band's authorization, sold their entire song catalogue for the paltry, extremely undervalued sum of $750,000;[[note]]almost $5.2 million in 2018 money for a catalogue which is estimated to be worth at least $75 million today[[/note]] Brian has since suggested that Murry forged his signature on the sales documents. Despite a run of artistically brilliant albums right up to their 1973 album ''Music/{{Holland}}'', and line-up changes (Bruce Johnston leaving in 1972, with Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar of the Flames joining for a few years), they were considered passé in their home country. Brian was still in rough mental shape, and Murry's death from a heart attack at age 55 in 1973 was another blow to the group's morale.

However, by the end of 1964 the stress of touring and the competition from Music/TheBeatles led Brian to suffer a nervous breakdown and retire from touring. At around the same time, Murry's domineering personality and questionable business sense got out of control, so the band (i.e. ''his own sons'') fired him. While the rest of the group toured (with first Glen Campbell and then Bruce Johnston taking Brian's place), Brian stayed at home composing and utilizing the studio talents of The Wrecking Crew, leading to more advanced-sounding albums such as ''Music/TheBeachBoysToday'' and ''Music/SummerDaysAndSummerNights''.

+Music/JanAndDean, The Rip Chords, The Hondells, Gary Usher, The Honeys, Music/AmericanSpring, Glen Campbell, Music/TheBeatles, Music/TheMamasAndThePapas, The Sunrays, Sagittarius, Three Dog Night, Music/TheGratefulDead, Music/{{Chicago}}, Music/CaptainAndTennille, Jeffrey Foskett, The Wondermints, Wilson Phillips

* LyricalDissonance: Most of the songs on ''Music/PetSounds'' are euphoric, beautiful songs about loneliness, self-isolation, paranoia, and heartbreak.
** "Heroes And Villains" is a catchy and tuneful song... about gang warfare, particularly the protagonist's wife's accidental death in same.

They got their actual start basically out of the Wilson family house, over Labor Day weekend in 1961; Murry and his wife Audree went on a trip to Mexico, and while they were gone, the band recorded their first song, "Surfin'" (turns up on the album ''Surfin' Safari'' in 1962), in the music room (converted from the garage). After that hit the local radio and was a small national hit, they signed to Creator/CapitolRecords in 1962 and quickly climbed the charts as the premier SurfRock band in the nation, playing a big role in popularizing the Southern California culture throughout the country. The band's well-honed harmonies made them stand out musically, while Brian established himself as a songwriter who specialized in memorable, imaginative melodies, and Murry, a tenacious man with a knack for promotion, [[StageDad acted as their manager]].

This eventually led to what some critics consider the greatest pop/rock album of all time: ''Music/PetSounds'', which brought a whole new depth to popular music, with advanced production techniques, complex instrumental arrangements, and powerful lyrics on such subjects as loneliness, youthful longing, self-isolation, and the loss of innocence. Music/PaulMcCartney has said that ''Music/PetSounds'' was a major influence on Music/TheBeatles' own landmark album ''Music/SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand''. (Not coincidentally, if a critic ''doesn't'' call ''Music/SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand'' the greatest rock/pop album in history, they likely think it's ''Music/PetSounds'').

From there, however, the story becomes a long, tragic string of misfortunes. After ''Music/PetSounds'' was released, Brian Wilson intended to top it with a revolutionary new album called ''Music/{{Smile|TheBeachBoys}}''. However, a series of increasingly destructive circumstances[[note]]pressure from Capitol to actually deliver the album, Brian's ailing psyche and his escalating drug abuse, a royalty lawsuit, Brian's confidence being destroyed by the relative commercial failure of "Heroes and Villains", and him becoming convinced that the Beach Boys could never top the Beatles after listening to ''Music/SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand''[[/note]] led to the album's cancellation in 1967. The band instead released ''Music/SmileySmile'', which combined what the rest of the band felt were the stronger ''Music/SMiLE'' tracks with some new, supposedly more commercial material (as opposed to the "weird" ''Music/SMiLE'' songs). That album was, as Carl Wilson later described it, "a bunt instead of a grand slam", and the band's popularity plummeted in the U.S. (although they remained huge elsewhere, especially Europe).

This eventually led to what some critics call the greatest rock/pop album of all time: ''Music/PetSounds'', which brought a whole new depth to popular music, with advanced production techniques, complex instrumental arrangements, and powerful lyrics on such subjects as loneliness, youthful longing, self-isolation, and the loss of innocence. Music/PaulMcCartney has said that ''Music/PetSounds'' was a major influence on Music/TheBeatles' own landmark album ''Music/SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand''. (Not coincidentally, if a critic ''doesn't'' call ''Music/SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand'' the greatest rock/pop album in history, they likely think it's ''Music/PetSounds'').

However, by the end of 1964 the stress of touring and the competition from Music/TheBeatles led Brian to suffer a nervous breakdown and retire from touring. At around the same time, Murry's domineering personality and questionable business sense got out of control, so the group (i.e. ''his own sons'') fired him. While the rest of the band toured (with first Glen Campbell and then Bruce Johnston taking Brian's place), Brian stayed at home composing and utilizing the studio talents of The Wrecking Crew, leading to more advanced-sounding albums such as ''Music/TheBeachBoysToday'' and ''Music/SummerDaysAndSummerNights''.

However, by the end of 1964 the stress of touring and the competition from Music/TheBeatles led Brian to suffer a nervous breakdown and retire from touring. At around the same time, Murry's domineering personality and questionable business sense got out of control, so the group (i.e. ''his own sons'') fired him. While the rest of the band toured (with first Glen Campbell and then Bruce Johnston taking Brian's place), Brian stayed at home composing songs and utilizing the studio talents of The Wrecking Crew, leading to more advanced-sounding albums such as ''Music/TheBeachBoysToday'' and ''Music/SummerDaysAndSummerNights''.

However, by the end of 1964 the stress of touring and the competition from Music/TheBeatles led Brian to suffer a nervous breakdown and retire from touring. At around the same time, Murry's domineering personality and questionable business sense got out of control, so the group (i.e. ''his own sons'') fired him. While the rest of the band toured (with first Glen Campbell and then Bruce Johnston taking Brian's place), Brian stayed at home writing songs and utilizing the studio talents of The Wrecking Crew, leading to more advanced-sounding albums such as ''Music/TheBeachBoysToday'' and ''Music/SummerDaysAndSummerNights''.

However, by the end of 1964 the stress of touring and the competition from Music/TheBeatles led Brian to suffer a nervous breakdown and retire from touring. At around the same time, Murry's domineering personality and questionable business sense got out of control, so the group (i.e. ''his own sons'') fired him. While the rest of the band toured (with first Glen Campbell and then Bruce Johnston taking Brian's place), Brian stayed at home writing and utilizing the studio talents of The Wrecking Crew, leading to such classics as "Please Let Me Wonder", "Kiss Me, Baby" (both from ''Music/TheBeachBoysToday''), "Help Me, Rhonda", and "California Girls" (both from ''Music/SummerDaysAndSummerNights'').

However, by the end of 1964 the stress of touring and the competition from Music/TheBeatles led Brian to suffer a nervous breakdown and retire from touring. At around the same time, Murry's domineering personality and questionable business sense got out of control, so the group (i.e. ''his own sons'') fired him. While the rest of the band toured (with first Glen Campbell and then Bruce Johnston taking Brian's place), Brian stayed at home writing and utilizing the studio talents of The Wrecking Crew, leading to such classics as "Please Let Me Wonder" (from ''Music/TheBeachBoysToday''), "Help Me, Rhonda" and "California Girls" (Both from ''Music/SummerDaysAndSummerNights'').

However, the stress of touring and the competition from Music/TheBeatles led Brian to suffer a nervous breakdown and retire from touring. Around the same time, Murry's domineering personality and questionable business sense got out of control, so the group (i.e. ''his own sons'') fired him. While the rest of the band toured (with first Glen Campbell and then Bruce Johnston taking Brian's place), Brian stayed home writing and making use of the studio talents of The Wrecking Crew, leading to such classics as "Please Let Me Wonder" (from ''Music/TheBeachBoysToday''), "Help Me, Rhonda" and "California Girls" (Both from ''Music/SummerDaysAndSummerNights'').

They got their actual start basically out of the Wilson family house, over Labor Day weekend in 1961; Murry and his wife Audree went on a trip to Mexico, and while they were gone, the band recorded their first song, "Surfin'" (turns up on the album ''Surfin' Safari'' in 1962), in the music room (converted from the garage). After that hit the local radio and was a small national hit, they signed to Creator/CapitolRecords in 1962 and quickly climbed the charts as the premier SurfRock band of the nation. They are often credited for popularizing the California culture throughout the country. The band's well-honed harmonies made them stand out musically, Brian established himself as a songwriter who specialized in memorable, imaginative melodies, and Murry, a tenacious man with a knack for promotion, [[StageDad acted as their manager]].

* NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly: ''Music/SMiLE'' defies pigeon-holing. Not only does the whole thing sound nothing like any music that came before or after, each individual song sounds wildly different from the one that came before it.
** Just to give an idea of this variety, the first three subsections (talking about songs in Music/SMiLE doesn't really demonstrate its cyclical and interconnected nature) of its first movement (and that comprise only the first seven minutes of the album) are:
*** "Our Prayer", a hymn / prayer sung in the style of classical music choirs;
*** "Gee", a cover of a doo-wop song by The Crows;
*** "Heroes And Villains", a nearly indescribable mix of faux-opera, symphonic arrangements, Gershwin, Spector, Americana folk , comedy songs, doo-wop, scatting and many others contextualized in an old-timey cowboys and indians setting.