Chapter 10 Rock E. 3

The Last Ride of the Beach Boys

(1980s) They did it without Brian Wilson because he was working on his solo career. Kokomo (1988) (their biggest single ever, and it was their first hit in 22 years). It was written by Mike Love, which is some real irony. Carl Wilson's death in 1998 ended the "real beach boys" Brian won his battle with drugs and instability and had a good 20-year solo career. The daughters of Brian Wilson and and Philips (daughter of the mamas and the papas) had a great band that was successful called Wilson Phillips. They broke up after a couple albums. Hold On - single of the year in 1990. The Wilson also had a Christmas hit with Hey Santa (1993). The Boys were inducted in 1988.

The Wasted years of the beach boys

3rd phase (1967-1973). The band has a rough time after Pet Sounds and Good Vibrations. Darlin (1967) became their next record and it made 19 in the US and 11 in the UK. Friends (1968, No. 47) - Mike Love had gone to India with the Beatles because he was into meditation, so he isn't on this recording. Their music had become out of style because everyone was into psychedelic music at this point. There was also some crazy stuff surrounding the beach boys at this point as well. Never Learn Not To Love (1968) was originally called Cease to Exist written by Charles Manon who Dennis was trying to help break into the music business. This release made headlines because when Charles Manson was arrested, this album was already out. Dennis had been his roommate and had no idea he was a killer at the time. Do It Again (last top 20 for a long time). They covered the Ronettes and tried to get up there by doing a bunch of other stuff, but nothing really worked. Carl Wilson had to take over for Brian as leader. There was also a lot of filler music released while Brian was MIA from the tours and the studio. In the early 70s they were considered a touring band rather than recording band, and they were a huge draw, but their songs were sucking at the time. They were selling arenas and stadiums as a nostalgia act. They were excellent stage performances. Surf's Up (1971) then Sail On, Sailor (1973) which only made No. 79

The OG Beach Boys

Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike Love(cousin) and Alan Jardine (friend)

Dennis Wilson

Drummer, vocalist, mascot (because he was the cutest one)

Mike Love

Lead vocalist, lyricist

Brian Wilson

Mr. Everything the beach boy's mastermind and chief songwriter. He was a loveable weirdo. He had instability and drug abuse, and he didn't harm anyone and kept it to himself. He was the gifted brain. He had a special relationship with his mom (Audree), who was the biggest supporter of the band. He had a bad relationship with his dad (Murry) who tormented him and was their manager. He was also their music publisher. He abused his sons (hit Brian in the head causing hearing loss). producer, songwriter, arranger, pianist, bassist, lead vocalist

On the Rise again Beach Boys

Phase 4 (1974-1979) They had their first No.1 Album in 10 years. It was called endless summer, and it was a greatest hits album (triple platinum). This woke up Brian and he started working again. 15 Big Ones (1976, No.8) was the first produced by Brian since Pet Sounds. They also covered Chuck Berry (Rock and Roll Music, No. 5) which was a huge hit (made top 10). Brian had a good sense of humor about his seclusion from the music industry (was on drugs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). He did a spoof on SNL about it with The Blues Brothers (Dan Akyroid and John Belushi). They made him go surfing with Surfin' USA playing in the background. The only beach boy that actually surfed was Dennis Wilson (1944-1983) who drowned on December 28th, 1983. He was on a boat and jumped in to catch something he dropped and never resurfaced. Here Comes The Night (1979) Top 40 song that was Disco.

smile

Smile was the most delayed album in rock and roll history. This was one to the great lost works of 60s pop. It was originally titled Dumb Angel and was dubbed a teenage symphony to god. It was highly scrutinized. It was Rock's most famous unreleased album until 2011. He was so insecure from the media attention that he started being weird. It was dedicated to the 4 elements (air, fire, wind, and earth). He was on LSD and experimenting with drugs and music. He also made all the studio musicians wear fire helmets and inhale smoke during the fire section of the album. He also teamed up with teamed up with Van Dyke Parks (a lyricist that had little experience but was poetic). Mike Love didn't like this at ALL and he questioned everything Parks did. Brian and Parks did a ton of drugs together. Once, Love asked what the lyrics meant, and Parks had no idea. There was also a rejected cover for smile with Brian's producer credit right on the front of it. There was also a promo that ended up being used for the promo of Good vibrations. This album is a wild, weird, and ground breaking album. Air: Our prayer: (like a Gregorian chant) They were so high when they recorded Wind Chimes that the mics had to be lowered to their mouths because they were lying on their backs. Fire: Mrs. O'Leary's Cow (a weird and circus/chaotic piece of music) Water: I Love to Say Da-Da (kinda surf-y) had prominent organ Earth: My Vega-tables (Paul McCartney on bass) Cabin Essence: a western epic with doyn-doyn backing vocals about the growth of the railroad. This was Brian's search for acceptance (which was part of the problem). Love was hyper-critical of the lyrics of that album. After a recording session in December of 1966, Mike Love criticized the lyrics to cabin essence super heavily, which lead to Brian becoming more of a recluse and Parks no longer working on the album. The recording sessions ended, and the album was shelved. The band released an alternative version of Smiley Smile (1967), with the touring band featured on the back cover and a weird picture of Brian in the middle. It had some of the songs from Smile, but it also had crap songs. It was rushed and underproduced, as well as confusing. People thought it was supposed to be the Smile album, which upset people. It didn't even make it into the top 40, and the Beetles had released Sgt. Pepper a month earlier. Heroes and Villains was the only one to reach top 12 (1967) and it was one of the songs intended for Smile. In some recordings, it was a half hour long. At this point, Brian is a recluse and has stopped touring (which was the main band attraction at this point). In 2004, Brian re-recorded and released his own version of Smile without the beach boys, which failed to crack Top 20. Nobody wanted the re-recorded version; they wanted the originals. All of the tapes were then rediscovered in the vaults at brother records and are remastered and released under the title Smile Sessions.

First surf rock song

The Ventures "Walk Don't Run (1960) which made it to number 2). Inducted 2008. They also did Theme from Hawaii Five-0.

Songs and stuff from their first era

Their debut single was surfin' safari (reached number 14) They then released little deuce coupe (1963) which reached 15. Their breakthrough song was Surfin' USA (1963) which was basically sweet little 16 which was Chuck Berry's song. Surfer Girl (1963) reached No. 7. Fun Fun Fun (1964, No.5) More Chuck Berry influence (basically the first solo is Johnny B. Goode) In this era, you had to make it onto Ed Sullivan. They made it onto this show in 1964 and played I Get Around (1964, No.1) was their first big hit. In my room (1964) no. 23 - may have been an introspective look at his difficulty and pressure of his responsibilities. Don't Worry Baby (1964, no.24) a response to by my baby by the ronettes. This is another perfect example of the wall of sound production style. This was recorded at Gold Star with the wrecking crew. Help Me Rhonda (1965, No. 1) - one of the profs favorite songs

Glory years of the beach boys

Their glory years were 1962-1965. These were the surf rock years. They were songs that told simple but touching stories that appealed to teens (like Chuck Berry). They released one record before signing Capitol Records in LA. Their debut single was surfin' safari (reached number 14). This started the career of these 5 white, clean cut young men. They were a perfect corporate rock act because they were so clean. They were made the cali lifestyle popular.

The Beach Boys

They are a serious candidate for the best rock band ever (most influential rock band in the 60s). They were the first band to break out of shlock rock in the 60s. Their influences came from R&B, doo-wop, mainstream white, the wall of sound, and chuck Berry. In the mid-60s they had more sophisticated route that preceded the Beatles. They have a lasting surf rock legend because that is how their music was popularized, but there is more to them than that.

Surf Rock

They didn't invent surf rock, but they were ultimate representatives of the genre. Most surf rock before them were instrumentals, but they added vocals and fun to it. It was a regional thing because it represented the surfing culture of southern California. Dick Dale and His Del-tones - Let's Go Trippin (1961), Misirlou (1962, Greek song adaptation. Seen in pump it and pulp fiction). Surfaris - Wipe Out (1962) The Chantays - Pipeline (1963)

Good Vibrations

They didn't really take a break and they started on another album. Good vibrations (1966, no. 1) became their biggest hit and was a taster for their next LP. It had orchestration and was unusual/diverse. It was the most expensive rock record in history up to that point. It took 6 months, 3 studios, and 100s of miles of tape. It was a radical record for the time with drums, cellos, and electro-theremin (which was his mom's idea). This song was originally released as a single. It had a complex arrangement but retained some of its surf rock elements. They created their own record company called "brother records" after a long career with Capitol.

First era music influence on other artists

They were one of the only ones to compete with the British invasion, which is funny because they were signed to the same label as the Beetles. One of the first bands to have a concept album (themed) like cars, girls, surfing. He was a prolific writer, and often gave some of his songs to other artists like Jan and Dean (they also did surf music). Dean actually toured with the beach boys sometimes as a stand in member. Jan and Dean had Surf City (1963, no.1) Brian was motivated to one up the Beatles by making one of the best rock albums of all time. He starts buying time to prep his music, so he records some tamer songs like California Girls (1965, no. 3). This song also had wall of sound technique. Brian kept up the appearance that he was in the group by performing on TV in 1965 (a charade) to dismiss that the rumor that they had broken up.

Pet Sounds

This was the artistic summit for the Beach boys with the Pet Sounds album. One of the most enduring and celebrated albums in rock history (no. 10 US, No.2 UK). A *piece de resistance* of pop music (exam question). This was received very well by fans and critics alike and was called "the scheherazade" of pop music. The Scheherazade was an amazing orchestic work in Russia. Paul McCartney said that Pet Sounds was his favorite album and God Only Knows is his favorite song. Basically, it became a hugely influential album across many artists. Brian would control at the recording booth. Mike didn't like the changes and was furious about it "don't f*ck with the formula" and the band didn't super love the change in direction either. Sloop John B (1966, No.3) It was a dangerous move to change the formula so much and it was a shock to the public because it was so noncommercial and moody. It was also dealing with aging and growing pains (uncomfortable). This is what made it so unique for 1966. Brian knew what he was doing and what he wanted to achieve. It went against the grain and playing it safe. It was a huge commercial gamble. This was the album that rock n roll albums were judged by and helped solidify the standard format of rock in the 60s. "Caroline, No" (1966, No. 32). They went to the San Diego Zoo for the cover shoot. They did release some of their songs as singles. They were album AND song oriented with a memorable album cover. Since they had 4 songs, so they had hit potential. This album was inspired by rubber soul, and the Beatles were inspired and came back with Sgt. Pepper.

Carl Wilson

lead guitarist, vocalist

Surf and turf

songs about surfing, cars, and girls) which made Cali popular in the 60s (myth that cali was about surfing, cars, fun, etc)