Surf's Up: a Beach Boys Podcast Safari

13/11/2024

2 Beach Boys related albums on this list.

These somewhat forgotten rock albums from the 1960s are still excellent works today, and we think they deserve another thorough listen.

24/10/2024

More sad news. I just learned that my friend Dennis King, whose birthday it would have been today, recently left us. Dennis hosted the Island Time Radio Show and did an annual special on The Beach Boys.

He was a big supporter of my book Fifty Sides of The Beach Boys. In fact, he had me back on his show as recently as this June. He told me about his health problems, but was trying to be brave in the face of it. He loved his Cleveland Guardians and years ago he came here to Toronto to watch them play and we grabbed a beer.

I didn't think he'd be gone so soon. Farewell, my friend.

(Link to his last Beach Boys special below.)

-Mark

Beach Boys special/ Mark Dillon & Spud interviews

23/10/2024

I was very saddened to hear that power pop legend Matthew Sweet suffered a stroke last week here in Toronto. And because he's not Canadian, he's out of pocket for medical expenses.

In my experiences with him, he more than lived up to his name. He was a willing interview subject for my book Fifty Sides of The Beach Boys and was so kind. I remember that day I had my young daughter with me who proved quite a distraction, but Matthew was completely patient on the phone. I think our discussion of the BB gem "Wonderful" has added something to fans' understanding and appreciation of the song, if Wikipedia is any indication. Matthew also penned a blurb for the back cover of the book. A great musician and a great guy - I wish him all the best for a total recovery.

Matthew has quite a financial road ahead. If you would like to donate, click on the GoFundMe link below.

-Mark

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your many generous donations and well-wishes from all around the world in the past 48hrs. We urge those who haven't chipped in to please consider showing your support for Matthew during this critical time. ⁣
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Read the full statement and donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-matthew-sweets-stroke-recovery 🕊

18/10/2024

In 2005 Brian Wilson sang this gem of a song to me over the phone. That was memorable.

09/10/2024

My thoughts are with my podcast partner Phil Miglioratti in Florida. Hopefully you are in a safe place and things go well for you, my friend!

-Mark

01/10/2024

We wish a most happy birthday to Bobby Figueroa, drummer extraordinaire with The Beach Boys and one of our favorite guests. Check out our conversation with Bobby below.

Bobby Figueroa was hired by Dennis Wilson as a Beach Boys percussionist in 1974. He would go on to drum in the band with Ricky Fataar and then Dennis, sometimes with kits side by side. When Dennis was

29/08/2024

Something new from Al Jardine…

➡️https://youtu.be/-WjZ1YHU4XM?si=PA_H68fvTlgEhGuo

Provided to YouTube by DistroKidWISH (feat. Larry Dvoskin) · Al Jardine · Larry Dvoskin · Larry Dvoskin · Taylor Simpson · Taylor Simpson · Red Barn Studio C...

29/08/2024

This almost-from-day-one Beach Boys fan jumps for joy at the many tributes that are finally becoming part of the public perception of “the fabulous Beach Boys!”

“Understandably, therefore, when Clapton heard the album, he was besotted. “All of us, Ginger, Jack and I, are absolutely and completely knocked out with Pet Sounds,” he once reflected. Not only did he “consider it to be one of the greatest Pop LPs to ever be released,” he also believed “it encompasses everything that’s ever knocked me out,” all rolled into one.

“In his eyes, Pet Sounds is what proved Wilson to be “a pop genius”.

“Later, Clapton went one step further, revealing that Pet Sounds was actually a significant aspect of Cream’s formation, explaining that listening to the album “non-stop” placed them in a semi-frustrated state where they pushed themselves to be the best they could possibly be while realising the realities of never actually being able to obtain the exact status of excellence as Wilson’s collective. It was inspiring but humbling.”

Eric Clapton once discussed his appreciation for The Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds' and how it influenced his own style of work in Cream and beyond.

27/08/2024

Phil here today ...

FYI fans - Several new posts from "My Beach Boys Collection"

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23/07/2024

I love the Four Tops, particularly this song. RIP Abdul "Duke" Fakir, who was the last living original member.

HQ-Video. Baby I Need Your Lovin' . Four Tops Hit und Motown-Classic, released 1964.

05/07/2024

On this day in 1965, The Beach Boys released their Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) album. A long time ago when Phil and I revealed our top 10 favorite LPs by the group (https://soundcloud.com/user-93394161/top-10-favorite-beach-boys-albums), I ranked this #6.

In Fifty Sides of The Beach Boys I wrote, "Few LPs in pop history can boast a suite of songs on par with "Then I Kissed Her," "Salt Lake City," "Girl Don't Tell Me," "Help Me, Rhonda," "California Girls," "Let Him Run Wild," and "You're So Good to Me."

What do you think of this album and what's your favorite song?

-Mark

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupGirl Don't Tell Me (Remastered 2001) · The Beach BoysSummer Days (And Summer Nights)℗ A Capitol Records Release; ...

01/07/2024

The Undeniable Genius
Henry Rollins Acknowledged:
Brian Wilson

“Henry Rollins might not seem the most obvious disciple of Brian Wilson, but their respective careers certainly do not have much of an overlap.

“Nevertheless, his clear adoration for the Beach Boys songwriter speaks to the all-encompassing appeal of Wilson’s songwriting, which consistently manages to defy genre conventions and musical subcultures.”

The Undeniable Genius Henry Rollins Acknowledged: Brian Wilson Paul June 28, 2024 0 Comments Punk rock revolutionized music in the mid-1970s, challenging the mainstream rock establishment. Yet, even punk icons like Henry Rollins of Black Flag cannot deny the genius of certain 1960s musical legends.....

27/06/2024

Happy Birthday to Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys! Love his lead vocal on this Beatles cover.

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupWith A Little Help From My Friends (Stereo Mix / Live / 1967) · The Beach Boys1967 - Sunshine Tomorrow℗ 2017 Brot...

23/06/2024

ADD A PODCAST TO YOUR WEEK!

In this special snackable episode, Mark compares The Beach Boys' 1967 SMiLE album with The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. A year earlier the bands came out, respectively, with the classic Pet Sounds and Revolver LPs, and it was The Beach Boys who were favored in NME's year-end poll. If SMiLE had come out during the Summer of Love, how would it have fared? Mark weighs the two albums track by track, and in terms of cultural impact and overall artistic impression. These records are considered by many to be both bands' ultimate production statements - which one will come out on top? (This mini-episode is a longer version of a clip Mark recorded for the Apples & Oranges Podcast.)

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Alexa, Amazon Music, Audible, and on SoundCloud at the link below.

Which album do you think is superior? Leave your thoughts below!

In this special snackable episode, Mark compares The Beach Boys' 1967 SMiLE album with The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. A year earlier the bands came out, respectively, with the cla

20/06/2024

Happy Birthday to the one and only Brian Wilson. Just listen to Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE - celebrating 20 years of release - to see what this artist is capable of.

The project was originally planned to be released in 1967 as a Beach Boys album, written in collaboration between Wilson and lyricist Van D**e Parks. It was...

10/06/2024

Phil here

This piece of Beach Boys history might be new to some:

Dear Jerry: I know that information on album liner notes and publications can be wrong.

10/05/2024

I only just learned that Brian Wilson/The Beach Boys producer Joe Thomas passed away a couple of weeks ago. This wrestler turned music man was not widely embraced by the fan base; they didn't like the slick adult contemporary sheen he slapped onto the tunes. Also, his partnership with Brian went through many ups and downs.

It would have been nice to have interviewed Joe for my book 50 Sides of The Beach Boys about the group's last album, That's Why God Made the Radio, but the record had not come out yet.

I did interview him for a piece in The Toronto Star in 2015 about Brian's new album No Pier Pressure. He seemed candid and easy to please. In all fairness he worked with Brian on a bunch of fine tracks, like this collab with Kacey Musgraves. RIP.

-Mark

Music video by Brian Wilson performing Guess You Had To Be There. (C) 2015 Brimel, Inc. Under Exclusive License To Capitol Records, LLCNew album ‘No Pier Pre...

14/11/2023

This new article, which quotes me among other writers on The Beach Boys, is Dennis Wilson 101. Unfortunately it dwells on his self-destructive behavior and demise and barely mentions his songwriting and producing abilities that blossomed.
-Mark

In December 1983, Dennis Wilson was found dead in the murky waters of Marina Del Rey, California after a long struggle with substance abuse.