The official RU-vid channel for the inventors of the California sound, The Beach Boys. Founded by Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, & Dennis Wilson in Hawthorne, CA.
At 72 years old… and as a major Beach Boys fan throughout most of my life, I think Brian Wilson was a genius at writing, arranging, and producing. And their harmonies were something awe inspiring. I saw them right when Good Vibrations came out… at the Johnstown War Memorial, in Johnstown, PA. The Left Banke opened for them, and they were incredible. I remember, that as they did their songs, I thought to myself…”there’s a lot more people playing somewhere, other than The Beach Boys.” Things just didn’t match up, with what was being played. I had already been playing in local bands (drums and guitar) in junior high, and continued most of my life. I say that, because I’d say I’ve had a legitimate career in music… still today as a writer/producer. But… to call Dennis Wilson anything more than a “beater”, would be a major exaggeration. He had no meter… speeding up live songs like he was trying to get through a race. He did the simplest of fills, and would draw looks from other members, to SLOW DOWN. I don’t believe that he really did drumming on their records. Maybe played cowbell, or tambourine… but Brian was much too much a perfectionist to let that happen. I will say this… the girls loved him. We kept hearing girls yelling “marry me, Dennis”, throughout the concert. Again… I think they put out amazing music. And I attribute that to the vocals, and Brian‘s writing. But, none of them… especially Dennis were great musicians.
Agreed.. Watching a documentary on them recently. Brian could not work due to his health. No Brian! The Beach Boys were playing in a nursing home. Still band. Lots of talent. Many great life lessons.
I absolutely love this song. Back then, it was a “flop” for some critics, but this is one of the best songs of all time, hands down. Moral: Music critics have never been good for anything.
