Transcript History of Rock The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys
California boys singing about teenage life in
1962
Included brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl
Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al
Jardine. Mike sang most of the leads while
Brian led on some of the vocals
Sang songs about surfin’, cars, girls, and
school with vocal harmonies created by Brian
Wilson lead singer.
“Surfin’ Safari” first hit in 1962 followed by
“Surfin’ USA”, 1963
One of the first rock groups with studio control
over their songs.
Brian Wilson Mastermind
Not a typical rock star, moody and
withdrawn and not really the carefree
stereotype of the their music.
In the studio a very creative composer
using his falsetto voice and lush jazz
harmonies with his brothers voices.
Liked using the west coast sound created
by Phil Spector, one of his musical idols.
The Beach Boys Sound
Lyrics sophistication of Chuck Berry, vocal
expertise of Frankie Lymon.
On straight rock n roll tunes they sang tight
harmonies with brother Carl providing simple
guitar lines.
On ballads Brian’s falsetto was used against
harmonies new to rock and roll.
Jan and Dean songs written by Brian Wilson.
California is calling
The group’s pursuit of fun surfing, driving
souped up cars, and dating where the weather
is great year round.
Hot Rod Songs: “Little Deuce Coup”, “409”,
“Ballad of Ole’ Betsey”.
Girl Songs: “Surfer Girl”, “California Girls”,
“Don’t Worry Baby”, “Barbara Ann”.
Surfin’ Songs: “Surfin’ Safari”, “Surfin’ USA”.
Teenager Songs: “In My Room”, “Good
Vibrations”, “Fun, Fun, Fun”.
All is not well in paradise…
Brian drops touring for composing and
producing after “Summer Days” album.
Wilson seemed to be consumed by a desire to
better the Beatles.
Album “Pet Sounds” was pessimistic charting
the changes in their lives.
During production of album “Smile” Wilson
collapsed with nervous breakdown.
Some say he was depressed by Beatles success
and musical brilliance of “Sgt. Pepper”.
Now What?
In the late 60s the Beach Boys imaged suffered
as they were perceived as an oldies group in the
midst of the progressive rock movement. That
changed in 1970 when they appeared at the Big
Sur Festival in North California, making fans
out of the new hip rock crowd.
Meanwhile, their Warner Brothers records
weren't as high quality as their Capitol sides. A
reissue by Capitol of "Surfin' U.S.A". in the
summer of 1974, reached #6, higher than any
of the six singles they had done for Warner
Brothers.
70’s
Sounded better on the road singing their
original hits than in the singing new songs.
Some of the new songs were too difficult to
produce on the road because they used studio
tricks and techniques.
1974 album “Endless Summer” became a
million selling, #1 hit but was made from tracks
recorded before 1965.