The Beach Boys have reached Australia on their 50th Anniversary tour and last night (August 31, 2012) played three hours of music history for fans for the first time with founder Brian Wilson in decades.
The Beach Boys 2012: Photo Ros O'Gorman
Wilson stopped touring with The Beach Boys in the mid 60s and only occasionally appeared in the band live for occasional shows. It wasn’t until December, 2011 when The Beach Boys announced Brian had rejoined the group. That led to a new studio album ‘That’s Why God Made The Radio’ and this tour.
Of the founders, Brian Wilson is 70, Mike Love is 71. Al Jardine will turn 70 on Monday (September 3). Bruce Johnston, who joined the band in 1965, replacing Glen Campbell who had replaced Brian in the live band. Bruce is 70. The youngster in the band is David Marks. Marks was a neighbour of the Wilson’s and was briefly in the band from February 19672 until October 1963. He was 13 when he joined and 14 when he left and now he is back at age 64.
This is a special tour. After its over, who knows if we will ever see them together with Brian again.
In fact, even the deceased Wilson brothers made an appearance on the screen with Dennis Wilson singing ‘Forever’ and Carl singing “God Only Knows’.
This show started at 8pm, broke for interval at 9:20pm, was back at 9:40pm and finished at 11:05pm. In those 3 hours, The Beach Boys played 53 songs. You can see the setlist below and gasp at the depth of the history. These were genius songs created during the renaissance of music. It is a time we will never relive again, which made it all the more special.
Do It Again
Little Honda
Catch A Wave
Hawaii
Don’t Back Down
Surfin’ Safari
Surfer Girl
You’re So Good To Me
Getcha Back
Please Let Me Wonder
Wendy
Kiss Me Baby
Let Him Run Wild
Then I Kissed Her
Darlin’
Isn’t It Time
Come Go With Me
Why Do Fools Fall In Love
When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)
Disney Girls
Good Timin’
Its OK
Cotton Fields
Be True To Your School
California Saga
Don’t Worry Baby
Little Deuce Coupe
409
Shut Down
I Get Around
Pet Sounds
Add Some Music To Your Day
Heroes And Villains
I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
Sloop John B
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
In My Room
All This Is That
That’s Why God Made The Radio
California Dreamin’
Sail On Sailor
Forever (vocal Dennis Wilson)
God Only Knows (vocal Carl Wilson)
Good Vibrations
California Girls
All Summer Long
Help Me Rhonda
Rock and Roll Music
Do You Wanna Dance
Surfin’ USA
Kokomo
Barbara Ann
Fun Fun Fun
The Beach Boys have two more shows in Australia.
Final dates are:
September 2, Adelaide, Entertainment Centre
September 6, Perth, Burwsood Dome
