One of the most anticipated tours on the summer concert schedule is the Beach Boys 50 Year Anniversary tour. The main reason is the singer and main songwriter Brian Wilson. The band played a 3- hour set, playing 44 songs encompassing their entire career, with a 20 minute intermission. The 2012 touring version of the Beach Boys included Brian on piano, vocalist Mike Love, guitarist Al Jardine, guitarist David Marks and keyboardist Bruce Johnston. The Beach Boys had a 9-piece outfit that were the backing band but technically, were the primary band. With all musicians in their late 60’s or early 70’s, besides their stage presence, the band had little to offer besides vocals and Marks’ guitar playing.
Still, witnessing Brian Wilson in the flesh is what everyone came to see. I could offer you a whole history here but getting him to tour again with the band he founded is remarkable in itself. He did sing leads on a few tracks like “Wendy” and “That’s Why God Made Radio,” but added little in terms of musicianship. They had a touring vocalist named Taylor Mills who came out to sing the begging to “Marcella.” Each original member had its own chance at the spotlight as all members took turns in singing except Marks. Marks did do a guitar solo to start the 2nd set off before the entire band joined Wilson at his piano for “Add Some Music to Your Day,” which was a great moment to see. Other touching moments were when the band played to Carl Wilson’s pre-recorded vocals on “God Only Knows” and Dennis Wilson’s “Forever,” while videos of them signing simultaneously played. Johnston enjoyed the spotlight on “Disney Girls’ as he sang lead on that. For show, Brian accompanied the rest of the band center stage for the encores with bass in hand.
Again, for someone like me who has never seen the Beach Boys, I was glad that I got to see all original living members on stage at one time, regardless of their musical capacities. You will enjoy the show purely for nostalgic reasons and that should be enough!
Set List:
Set 1:
Do it Again
Little Honda
Catch a Wave
Hawaii
Don’t Back Down
Sufin Safari
Surfer Girl
Come Go with Me
Why Do Fools Fall in Love? (Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers cover)
When I Grow Up (to Be a Man)
Please Let Me Wonder
Marcella
Wendy
Then I Kissed Her (The Crystals cover)
Disney Girls
Kiss Me, Baby
Good Timin’
Getcha Back
California Saga: California
Isn’t it Time
Cotton Fields (Lead Belly cover)
Be True to Your School
Don’t Worry Baby
Little Deuce Coupe
409
Shut Down
I Get Around
Set 2:
Pet Sounds (David Marks on guitar with backing band only)
Add Some Music to Your Day
Heroes and Villains
Sloop John B
Wouldn’t it be Nice
I Just Wasn’t Made for These times
Sail on, Sailor
In my Room
All This is That
That’s Why God Made Radio
Forever (Dennis Wilson on pre recorded lead vocals)
God Only Knows (Carl Wilson on pre recorded lead vocals)
Good Vibrations
California Girls
Help Me, Rhonda
Rock and Roll Music (Chuck Berry cover)
Surfin’ USA
Encore:
Kokomo
Barbara Ann (The Regents cover)
Fun, Fun, Fun
We would like to thank Tim Tobin for his assistance in helping BackstageAxxess.com to review the show.
