Documentary Review: The Beach Boys is full of Sun, Song and Sorrow

Amidst palm trees and beaches, “The Beach Boys” documentary starts off in the idyllic neighborhood of Hawthorne, California. In 1961, a group of Hawthorne boys came together to harmonize and eventually form the band, The Beach Boys. Despite initially not liking the band name, they accepted The Beach Boys over the Pendletones, a name referencing the Pendleton shirts surfers used to wear in the early 1960s. The band seemed to bottle that carefree 1960s California lifestyle of surfing and bonfires before the innocence of youth was taken away by the Vietnam War.

The documentary introduces viewers to brothers Carl, Brian, and Dennis Wilson, along with their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, who initially formed the band. Although they were gaining popularity, Brian Wilson hated touring and eventually left the touring band, instead content to focus on producing the music for the band. During this time, The Beatles were also gaining popularity, and the two bands became rivals in a sense, helping pop music evolve to sounds that hadn’t been heard before.

For kids growing up in Southern California, The Beach Boys’ music was the soundtrack of their youth. Their songs captured the essence of the Southern California lifestyle—sun, sand, and surf. Tracks like “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “California Girls,” and “Good Vibrations” painted a picture of an idyllic, carefree world that resonated deeply with young listeners. The music wasn’t just about surfing; it was about a way of life that included cruising with friends, romancing a pretty girl, and endless summers. This connection made The Beach Boys cultural icons and their music anthems for a generation that had yet to realize the horrors of the Vietnam War.

“The Beach Boys” documentary details the band’s influence on pop music which looking back, was very profound. They were pioneers of the California Sound, characterized by lush vocal harmonies and sophisticated studio productions. Brian Wilson, in particular, was a genius in the studio, pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved with multi-track recording and unconventional instruments. Albums like “Pet Sounds” have been cited as major influences by countless artists and are considered milestones in the evolution of pop music. Their rivalry with The Beatles spurred both bands to new creative heights, leading to innovative works like The Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds” and The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”

Using archival footage and interviews with music historians and band members themselves, The Beach Boys is an absorbing documentary. Unsurprisingly, it shares the challenges of family working together. Murray Wilson, at one time, was The Beach Boys’ manager, and while he contributed so much to the band becoming popular, he was also a controlling person who stifled nearly all of the band member’s freedom and creativity.

Murray Wilson eventually was fired as manager and later, in an act that is hard to imagine, sold the entire music catalog for $700,000, cutting out the boys from their own writing profits. It caused a disturbance in the band, enough so that Mike Love eventually sued for royalties, causing a split among the bandmates and cousins.

Despite internal strife and the eventual changes in their lineup and sound, The Beach Boys’ legacy endures. As the documentary reveals, the band left an indelible mark on the music industry, influencing genres as diverse as rock, pop, and psychedelic music. Their ability to evoke a time and place with their music continues to enchant new generations of listeners, proving that the magic of The Beach Boys is timeless.

The Beach Boys is currently streaming on Disney Plus. The official soundtrack, “The Beach Boys: Music From The Documentary,” will be available to stream and download on May 24 via Capitol/UMe, and the group’s iconic 1964 album “Shut Down, Vol. 2” is now available on limited edition blue and white marble vinyl on March 29 (stream or purchase these albums athttps://stream.lnk.to/TheBeachBoysPR). Additionally, the group’s only official book, “The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys,” was released on April 2 via Genesis Publications (for more information and to order: www.TheBeachBoysBook.com

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