They have sold over 100 million records. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Rolling Stone named them the 12th greatest artists of all time. The Beach Boys have had an immeasurable impact on popular culture. Now, fifty years after the formation of this iconic group (and just in time for their reunion tour) comes a fascinating book that examines the magnificent song catalogue of “America’s band.”
FIFTY SIDES OF THE BEACH BOYS: The Songs that Tell Their Story (ECW Press, June 2012) features exclusive interviews with the Beach Boys, their collaborators, fellow musicians, and many famous fans. These interviews, skillfully woven throughout the telling of the band’s history by author Mark Dillon, provide unique perspectives on the famous music and lyrics of the Beach Boys’ songs, and shed light on the dysfunctional relationships within the band. Brian Wilson’s infamously complicated relationship with his father, Murry, is also thoroughly examined, giving readers a deeper understanding of the tumultuous circumstances under which many classic Beach Boys songs were recorded.
In addition to analysis of the Beach Boys’ music, this book includes compelling anecdotes about other major pop culture icons, including Charles Manson and John Lennon, and interesting trivia about the Beach Boys songs. (Did you know that Blender voted “Kokomo” as “The Worst Song to Have Sex To”? Or that “Wouldn’t it Be Nice” was inspired by Brian Wilson’s sexual obsession with his sister-in-law?)
The Beach Boys’ impressive longevity is indicative of the quality of their music. Their songs are still as sophisticated, heartfelt and fresh as they were decades ago, and they continue to influence new generations of artists. FIFTY SIDES OF THE BEACH BOYS: The Songs that Tell Their Story is a must-have for any fan of the Beach Boys, popular culture, and American music history.
