The Beach Boys

THE BEACH BOYS Released Their Fabulous Hit ‘SLOOP JOHN B’ Today 60 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

20 March 2026

Californian surf-pop icons THE BEACH BOYS released one of their
top drawer hit singles with SLOOP JOHN B today 60 years ago.

It peaked at #2 in the UK, at #3 in the US.
Topped the charts in New Zealand, South Africa
and several European countries.

The song is a cover of a Bahamian folk tune from
Nassau, published in 1916 as “The John B. Sails”.

It was also covered by other artists besides The Beach Boys.

Al Jardine (guitarist/co-vocalist and songwriter) said years ago: “Brian was at the piano.
I sat down and showed him the chord pattern for ‘Sloop John B.’ He wasn’t into folk music. But
I didn’t give up. I figured if I gave it to him in the right light, he might end up believing in it.
So I modified the chord changes so it would be a little more interesting.

I put some minor changes in there, and it stretched out the possibilities from a vocal point
of view. The very next day, I got a phone call to come down to the studio. Brian played the song
for me, and I was blown away. The time to complete the track took him less than 24 hours.”

Short Bio – Discography

MOJO (British Music Monthly) – New Issue With Two Different Covers: BRIAN WILSON And SUEDE

Posted on by JL

20 July 2025

This month, MOJO has 2 different cover stars.

Brian Wilson: the Beach Boys maestro mourned and
celebrated in a lavish and insight-strewn package.

Suede: the resurrection of Britain’s ’90s pop heroes explored in depth,
with a free CD of fascinating Suede rarities to delight superfans and
engage the Suede-curious.

New single

Also in the issue: Sly Stone, CMAT, Paul Weller, John Fogerty; Jeff Tweedy;
Paul Jones; Mickey Newbury; Martin Stephenson; The Fugs; Radiohead
and more.

You can purchase a copy and let it be sent to your home address. Info here.

THE BEACH BOYS Released Their Hit Single ‘CALIFORNIA GIRLS’ This Day 60 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past

12 July 2025

Surf pop heroes THE BEACH BOYS scored hit after hit in the 60s.

One of them was CALIFORNIA GIRLS. It was released
on 12 July 1965, today 60 years ago, went to #3 in the
US and Top-10 in multiple countries around the globe.

The song was written by Brian Wilson (who passed
away last month, aged 82) and his cousin/co-founder
Mike Love (84 now).

Wilson conceived California Girls during his first acid trip while thinking
about women and Western film scores. The song is distinguished for its
orchestral prelude, layered vocals, and chromaticism. Wilson later referred
to it as “a hymn to youth“.

C’mon, everybody to the beach.

Discography

BRIAN WILSON – Musical Beach Boys Wizard Death At 82

Posted on by JL

11 June 2025

Musical wizard and Beach Boys mastermind BRIAN WILSON has past away, aged 82.

His family broke the news via social media.

He recorded/released 29 LPs with The Beach Boys and 11 solo albums.
He also worked/recorded with multiple other artists. R.I.P.

Brian Wilson: Story

NEIL YOUNG Duets With Beach Boy AL JARDINE On Romantic Gem ‘MY PLANE LEAVES TOMORROW (AU REVOIR)’

Posted on by JL

Reveries for the laziest day of the week

1 June 2025

AL JARDINE, the now 82-year-old, former beach boy co-vocalist/co-founder
has no plans to retire. He just released a 4-track EP titled Islands In The Sun .

It’s his first new music since his 2010 LP, named
A Postcard From California. Actually his only
solo album.

It features two tunes written by Jardine himself, and two reworked
versions of The Coasters’ Leiber/Stoller classics ‘Smokey Joe’s Café’ and
‘Crumple Car’.

One of the two Jardine written songs, a romantic tearjerker named MY PLANE LEAVES TOMORROW (AU REVOIR) features vocals by living legend Neil Young and a short trumpet moment by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. Their parts were already recorded during the ‘Posctard From California’ sessions, but Jardine only finished the song recently.

Have a listen. It’s a beauty.

The whole EP is a nostalgic beauty.


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Jardine will play a handful of gigs with his Pet Sounds Band this summer.

7/04 – Lake, MN @ Mystic Amphitheater at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
7/18 – Cohasset, MA @ South Shore Music Circus
7/23-24 – Phoenix, AZ @ Musical Instrument Museum
8/23 – Des Plaines, IL @ The Des Plaines Theatre
8/24 – St. Charles, IL @ The Arcada Theatre
9/05 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
9/07 – Concord, NH @ Chubb Theatre at Capitol Center for the Arts

Instagram – Facebook

‘HELP ME, RHONDA’ By THE BEACH BOYS No 1 In The US Today 60 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past

29 May 2025

Surf pop heroes THE BEACH BOYS scored one of their many No. 1 hits in their
home country with HELP ME, RHONDA It topped the charts this day 60 years ago,
on 29 May 1965.

According to mastermind Brian Wilson the song was not based on a real person.
After it was released as an album track on their LP ‘Today!‘, he revisited the song,
feeling it had commercial potential. The new version, with different arrangement
and slightly different lyrics, earned them their 2nd No. 1 hit in their home country.

Good vibrations indeed.

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Discography