Fun, Fun, Fun: A Look Back at The Beach Boys’ Year

 

by Howie Edelson

As 2024 makes its way into the history books, The Beach Boys’ catalog, longevity, and importance continues to capture new fans. Beach Boys fans enjoyed the group across all mediums in 2024—on TV, in concert, on record, and in print. Many an anniversary was celebrated and new memories created.

Here are the 2024 highlights:

  • This year marked the 50th anniversary of the group’s multi-platinum, chart-topping Endless Summer hits collection from 1974, which to date has sold over three million copies in the U.S. alone.
  • 2024 the band celebrated the 60th anniversary of no fewer than four classic albums: Shut Down Volume 2, All Summer Long, Beach Boys Concert, and rock’s most enduring holiday perennial, The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album.
  • On May 24, the long-awaited Frank Marshall and Thom Zimny-directed feature The Beach Boys began streaming on Disney+ to great fanfare. The documentary, conceived and produced with the full cooperation of the band, tracks their meteoric rise to fame—from a local Southern California curiosity to one of the most important musical revolutions in modern history. The film, which showcases incredible, rare, and previously unseen archival footage gorgeously remastered, spotlights the brilliance of The Beach Boys’ work—highlighting the enduring growth of Brian Wilson and Mike Love’s songwriting partnership. Fittingly, the documentary closes with a heartfelt, on-screen reunion of The Beach Boys’ classic lineup.
  • The Beach Boys gathering at TLC Chinese Theatre for the official premiere of the Disney+ The Beach Boys. Making the scene were the group’s co-founders Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, and David Marks – along with bandmates Bruce Johnston and Blondie Chaplin. 
  • The Beach Boys went on to snag the coveted Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Nonfiction Program.
  • The Beach Boys: Music From The Documentary, the official soundtrack to the film, features such masterpieces as “California Girls,” “In My Room,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda,” – along with such rarities as an A Cappella rendition of the Surf’s Up opener “Don’t Go Near The Water,” an early studio demo version of The Four Freshmen chestnut, “Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring,” along with incendiary live takes of such classics as “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Wild Honey,” “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” and “Fun, Fun, Fun” – among others.
  • In May, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston and the film’s production team, kicked off the festivities across the Atlantic where they sat for a Q&A and screening of the movie in perhaps rock’s most important and iconic building – London’s famed Abbey Road Studios.
  • While unveiling the new documentary in Britain, Mike Love and Bruce Johnston helped publicize Genesis Publications’ new book, The Beach Boys By The Beach Boys. For a deep look into the making of Genesis Publications’ The Beach Boys By The Beach Boys, click here: https://TheBeachBoysOfficial.lnk.to/Press 

The Beach Boys Official Book

Explore the exclusive official book of The Beach Boys. A limited-edition masterpiece capturing the band's history and legacy.

Learn More
  • The pair appeared on the nationwide Good Morning Britain program and went on to press the flesh with their die-hard fans at Waterstones Piccadilly as they purchased their copies of the new critically acclaimed band history -- told for the first time ever in The Beach Boys' own words.
  • The group wrapped the year by issuing the 60th anniversary of The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album, with a new numbered, limited-edition LP on custom zoetrope vinyl. The updated gatefold jacket features a holiday photo spread and includes a bonus 7″ with the single version of “Little Saint Nick” plus “Auld Lang Syne” on translucent ruby red color vinyl.

The Beach Boys Christmas Album

Limited Edition 1LP Zoetrope Vinyl + Bonus 7". Celebrate the holiday season with this special release!

Shop Now
  • December 4th, 2024, would have marked co-founder Dennis Wilson’s 80th birthday. Dennis understood the connection between The Beach Boys and their fans ran far deeper than just creating and enjoying music:
“Talking to people who are interested in The Beach Boys gives me a very warm feeling. We have a great love and respect for each other. We love what we do. I think it’s the heart that you put into what you’re doing that’s important. Each member of The Beach Boys puts their whole heart and soul into what they do, and that is probably the saving grace of the group. Few families are together spiritually and emotionally over art. I always loved and was proud to be a Beach Boy; I always loved the image. The Beach Boys are not a superstar group. The music is the superstar of the group. There will always be The Beach Boys; being a Beach Boy is like being in love.”

Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy and healthy New Year.

Here’s to a fantastic 2025 with some mind-blowing projects and career celebrations!!!

P.S. - Don’t forget to Add Some Music To Your YEAR!!!

 

Back