Beach Boys became one of the most popular groups in American rock music. They are best known for their rich vocal harmonies. Much of their music celebrates the lifestyle associated with southern California teenagers, such as surfing and hot-rod cars.
The Beach Boys were formed in the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne in 1961. The original members of the group were brothers Brian (1942-…), Dennis (1944-1983), and Carl Wilson (1946-1998); their cousin Mike Love (1941-…); and friend Al Jardine (1942-…).
Brian Wilson was the group’s pianist, bassist, and principal songwriter. Dennis Wilson and Love played drums, and Carl Wilson and Jardine played guitar. Love was the lead singer on most of the early songs. Their hits include “Surfin’ ” (1962), “Surfin’ U.S.A.” (1963), “I Get Around” (1964), “Fun, Fun, Fun” (1964), “Help Me, Rhonda” (1965), “California Girls” (1965), “Good Vibrations” (1966), “Sloop John B” (1966), and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (1966). The group reached the height of its popularity by the mid-1960’s but remained a successful touring act into the 1990’s. The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Jardine, Love, and Brian Wilson toured with separate groups during the early 2000’s. In 2012, Jardine, Love, and Wilson reunited and began touring with other musicians as the Beach Boys.
See also Rock music (Independent producers); Wilson, Brian.
