It seemed, for a time, as if there was a particularly-virulent Beach Boys backlash. It was like the song "Kokomo," by mere association, single-handedly voided the credibility of the entire Brian Wilson songbook. It felt like one had to explain away an affinity for The Beach Boys by describing it as a "guilty pleasure."
"In My Room"
If there was a backlash, it seems to have subsided and I, for one, am glad. Maybe it is my Southern California upbringing, maybe it is because when I am alone in my room I still feel like a melancholy teenager, but my love for The Beach Boys is abiding, and I'm willing to say it out loud on this very public forum. "I, Mr. Tiny, am a Beach Boys fan!"
The childhood home of the Wilson brothers should serve, if not as a museum or a music school, at least as a shelter to another Southern California family with enough musical potential to challenge the success of The Beatles and sell over 100 million records. Instead, with the building of the 105 freeway, the Wilson Homestead became another victim of eminent domain.
The street where their childhood home once stood is now marked by a monument erected by faithful fans of The Beach Boys and registered with the State of California as an historic landmark. In the land of perpetual summer, we could comfortably visit the monument at any time of the year but we decided that summertime proper was the only time to make our pilgrimage to the Beach Boy Monument in Hawthorne, CA.
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| Mr. Tiny takes a stand - atop The Beach Boys monument. |
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| The monument recreates the cover of the "Surfer Girl" album but includes all six Boys - Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, and David Marks. |
"The Rocking Surfer"
Dedicated on May 20, 2005, the monument, in terms of form, is a little less than inspired; the red bricks don't speak to the sand, sun, or surf with which The Beach Boys are so closely identified. The spirit with which the structure was built and the messages inscribed on those red bricks, however, offer some redemption.
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| HA! |
"Wouldn't It Be Nice"
I thought I got all of them, but I missed Carl Wilson!
"Good Vibrations"
There isn't some deep message to sustain the length of this post; it is just an appreciation for a local band that made good. Here are some of my favorite Beach Boy hits!
"Be True To Your School"
"Dance, Dance, Dance"
"Don't Worry Baby"
"God Only Knows"
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| I couldn't have said it better myself! |
What is your favorite Beach Boys song? Whatever it is, make it your summer dream to go visit The Beach Boys Monument!
"Your Summer Dream"
The Beach Boys Monument
3701 W 119th St
Hawthorne, CA
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
Cheers!
Mr. Tiny
It takes great courage to admit this. You have my support. Wouldnt it be nice if thats the name, is my favorite of their songs.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being my Beach Boys sponsor. If I get that feeling and need a fix, I'll give you a call!
DeleteGod Only Knows why they waited so long to make a landmark to these fine boys who defined a generation of pop music! Retro Roadhusband is a huge fan, and Mod Betty is as well.
ReplyDeleteIt is feel good music! Seriously, I can't help but be put into a better frame of mind after hearing them!
DeleteThat is a hard one. I guess I'd have to say Don't Worry Baby. Love the Beach Boys!
ReplyDeleteI love that song! Maybe one day I'll get to sing that to someone special!
DeleteI ADORE The Beach Boys. My favorite song is Waiting For The Day, but really I could listen to the whole Pet Sounds album over and over. It's sheer genius. Any time someone says they don't like The Beach Boys I say, "That's because you've never really LISTENED to The Beach Boys." I defend them to the death. Their music and harmonies were brilliant. And Brian Wilson totally fits my "All musical geniuses were insane or drug addicts" theory.
ReplyDeleteI need to get to this monument.
I'm telling you, when you make your way down here, we'll have a map ready for you of all the spots you need to hit. The monument is a little unassuming, but I think it is a must for BB fans!
Delete'Caroline No' is my favorite lesser know BB song but who can resist but since the time I was 5 and we first went to Disneyland my aunt and I have always been 'California Girls' most of the time though we keep our boyfriends warm at night as Northern Girls.
ReplyDeleteI love it!! I've heard there's something about the way Northern Girls kiss. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteHow neat! I think the first time I ever heard the beach boys was on one of my dads 45's "Fun, fun, fun". The I started collecting their records and had to re collect them as I literally wore them "white" from playing them so much as a kid.
ReplyDeleteI love vinyl but right now I'm grateful for digital music; I have been listening to The Beach Boys for the last three days straight!!!
DeleteOhh this looks amazing! The Beach Boys are so wonderful.
ReplyDeletexo,
Em
Thanks for stopping by! The Beach Boys are definitely my summer soundtrack!
Deletei LOVE the beach boys. we listened to them a lot growing up, especially on my grandpa's boat. i love the christmas album the best. and god only knows, and wouldn't it be nice, and surfer girl. well, pretty much every single song.
ReplyDeleteI do too! It is actually becoming a problem because I have been singing their songs to myself for the last week. It is getting weird at work...
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