Thursday, July 16 and Friday, July 17 –
The original California boys, whose vocal harmonies mesmerized the ‘60s, reunite on the River Spirit stage. The Beach Boys sprouted from the emerging California sound of the ‘50s and ‘60s with its summer hit Surfin’. The band rose to popularity in the ‘60s with its unique sound and lyrics, evoking a southern California youth culture of surfing, cars, romance and summer fun. Influenced by jazz-based vocal groups, rock-and-roll and doo-wop, the group experimented with many genres ranging from pop ballads to the up-tempo sounds of psychedelic. The band was a family affair with brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, who were joined by their cousin Mike Love and classmate Allan Jardine. As the group’s creative leader, Brian Wilson orchestrated the its harmonies, composing the music and producing the recording sessions. From 1962 to 1966, The Beach Boys charted 22 hit singles. In 1964, Brian halted touring with the group to work on hits like California Girl, Help Me Rhonda, The Little Girl I Once Knew and the group’s next studio album, Pet Sounds. Amongst Pet Sounds’ disappointing sells, The Beach Boys quickly released The Best of The Beach Boys. With no discouragement, Brian began to work on The Beach Boys’ next hit single, Good Vibrations. The single launched the group back to the top of the charts, also winning them three Grammy award nominations, including Best Contemporary Rock ’n’ Roll recording, which they lost to New Vaudeville Band. Although the group never won a Grammy, they have obtained a resume of countless hits garnering respect from the current pop music scene. For more information, visit www.riverspirittulsa.com.
