1. His breathless and blissful opening note, singing “I. . .” in “Good Vibrations.”
2. The Bigsby vibrato on his Gibson ES-335.
3. Possessed rock’s greatest beard of the 1970s.
4. Played all the instruments on 1971’s “Long Promised Road.”
5. Took the lead on songs written by all of his bandmates and sang them as though they were his own.
6. Learned guitar from neighbor John Maus, who studied with Ritchie Valens.
7. His mechanical avoidance of root bass notes in “The Trader” chorus.
8. Taught Alex Chilton how to play guitar.
9. After touring with Buffalo Springfield, added “Rock And Roll Woman” to Beach Boys setlists.
10. His backing vocals on Chicago’s “Wishing You Were Here.”
11. The photos of him touring the California Fender factory in 1965.
12. Praying with Brian prior to the Pet Sounds sessions.
13. His unused lead vocal on early “Sloop John B.”
14. As a teen, shared studio guitar duties with Barney Kessel & Howard Roberts.
15. Played a Guild Starfire on TV during “Beatlemania.”
16. The white Fender Telecaster on The Ed Sullivan Show appearance, 1968.
17. Sang backing vocals on Elton John’s “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.”
18. Revived Dennis’s “Forever” in late-’80s shows after his passing.
19. Taught niece Carnie to drive in his Bentley.
20. His progressive interior chord voicings (e.g., “Long Promised Road”).
21. Lead vocal & production on “I Can Hear Music.”
22. Co-wrote “Dance, Dance, Dance” & created the 12-string intro.
23. Whispered singing on “Wonderful” from Smiley Smile.
24. Helped finish “Fairy Tale” on Holland.
25. Sang like an R&B veteran on Wild Honey at age 20.
26. Handled bass duties on 1967’s “Lei’d In Hawaii” concerts.
27. Drummed on The Mike Douglas Show when Dennis fronted “Never Learn Not To Love.”
28. Opened for The Doobie Brothers on his 1981 solo tour.
29. Periodically led “Help Me, Rhonda” & “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.”
30. Signed & co-produced The Flame for Brother Records.
31. Co-wrote “Good Timin’.”
32. Covered “Rockin’ All Over The World” on 1983’s Youngblood.
33. Teamed with Gerry Beckley & Robert Lamm on 2000’s Like A Brother.
34. Ordained minister in the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness.
35. Conscientious objector in Vietnam; played benefits instead of fighting.
36. Only Beach Boy to live in Colorado.
37. Sang backup on David Lee Roth’s 1985 “California Girls.”
38. Sang lead on “God Only Knows,” Paul McCartney’s favorite song.
39. Reinvented “Let The Wind Blow” live into a soulful classic.
40. Co-wrote “River Song” & “Rainbows” for Dennis’s Pacific Ocean Blue.
41. Youngblood solo album featured Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Burton Cummings, Nicky Hopkins & Timothy B. Schmit.
42. Stevie Wonder wrote “I Do Love You” for the 1985 self-titled Beach Boys album.
43. Collaborated with Randy Bachman on two tracks for Keepin’ The Summer Alive.
44. Captured the soul of youth with the solo on “I Get Around.”
45. Fused surf and psychedelia in the “Do It Again” solo.
46. Drew attention to Native American plight on “The Trader.”
47. Fused Chuck Berry riff with California sun in “Fun, Fun, Fun.”
48. Crafted punchy synth bass lines from “Long Promised Road” to “Where I Belong.”
49. Gave Dick Dale a run for his money on “Let’s Go Trippin’.”
50. Led the wordless backing vocal in “Let Him Run Wild.”
51. Sang Chicago’s “Saturday In The Park” on 1975 tour with Chicago.
52. Wore a suit in sweltering heat at Live Aid, 1985.
53. First guitar: Kay acoustic with pickup on “Surfin’.”
54. First solo composition “Tune X” recorded during SMiLE sessions.
55. Sang and produced brother songs: “Darlin,” “Wild Honey,” “San Miguel,” “Baby Blue.”
56. Produced Ricci Martin’s 1977 Beached with inventive textures.
57. Integrated Blondie Chaplin & Ricky Fataar in 1972 lineup.
58. Played intimate clubs on 1981 solo tour despite arena fame.
59. Acted alongside John Stamos on You Again?
60. Brother-in-law to Billy Hinsche and later Dean Martin.
61. Mixdown producer from “Do It Again” through In Concert.
62. Added dynamic builds on Love You: “Let Us Go On This Way,” “Night Was So Young.”
63. Created dense chord clusters—no simple F chords here.
64. Held son Jonah aloft for the Sunflower cover.
65. Conveyed young-love emotions with the 16-note solo on “Don’t Worry Baby.”
66. Egoless musician—rarely featured guitar in his productions.
67. Sang anywhere in the vocal stack to blend perfectly between Brian & Mike.
68. Enhanced brothers’ tracks—e.g. “It’s About Time,” “Fairy Tale.”
69. Rickenbacker riff on “Girl Don’t Tell Me.”
70. Wailed on “Old Yeller” Stratocaster at 1980 July 4 D.C. concert.
71. Jammed twice in one day with Jimmy Page on July 4, 1985.
72. Used toddler Jonah’s “Hi!” to open “The Trader.”
73. Played the “Good Vibrations” bass part on guitar—walking and chewing gum.
74. As a teen, topped charts while pinning Beatles posters on his wall.
75. Pretended to play guitar on a toothpick as a toddler.
