The Beach Boys: 5/9/1981

Growing up, The Beach Boys held a key slot on my summer soundtracks. During pool parties, hanging at the beach, it was typical to hear Beach Boys’ tunes rippling over the sounds of splashing and summer fun. So when my friend Jim called me up and said he bought me a ticket to go with him to see the band, I was pretty psyched.

We were in the back row of the lower level at the Sunrise Musical Theatre, which was perfect because we were on our feet, rockin’ and partying and having a blast, unlike the rest of the crowd who were significantly older and more reserved than we were. I would occasionally catch a surreptitious glance from a person nearby, but didn’t care all that much until security showed up and politely asked us to dial thing back a bit. So we did, but still stayed on our feet and had a great time.

I wasn’t able to find the setlist from this particular show, but I found one from the same tour, and it seems consistent with what I remember, so here it is.

Setlist from 1981 tour:

• California Girls
• Sloop John B
• Do It Again
• School Days
• In My Room
• Surfin’
• Surfin’ Safari
• Catch a Wave
• Surfer Girl
• Long Tall Texan
• Lady Lynda
• God Only Knows
• Don’t Worry Baby
• 409
• Shut Down
• The Little Old Lady From Pasadena
• Little Deuce Coupe
• Sail On, Sailor
• Help Me, Rhonda
• Be True to Your School
• Wouldn’t It Be Nice
• Rock and Roll Music
• I Get Around
• Surfin’ U.S.A.

Encore:

• Good Vibrations
• Barbara Ann
• Back in the U.S.S.R.
• Fun, Fun, Fun

Brian Wilson: 8/18/2016

The Beach Boys were responsible for the soundtrack to some of my more memorable summers growing up. We would have pool parties at this girl Wendy’s house and play spin the bottle and truth or dare while the Beach Boys constantly crooned through the stereo. And while I had seen the Beach Boys twice before this show, neither time had Brian Wilson, so this concert was a real treat and more than just a trip down memory lane.

This tour marked the 50th anniversary of the release of the album Pet Sounds, which is an amazing work of art. For the tour, Wilson also recruited two other Beach Boys: Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin. In addition, nine other musicians shared the stage, bringing the total to twelve that I was able to count. One of them, Al Jardine’s son, was an incredible vocalist and soared on all the high harmony parts.

I went with my wife and we had decent seats in the balcony to the left of the stage, so we could see quite well. The sound was balanced and clear, and the band was very tight. They started promptly around 8:00, no opening act, and played a nice set that included standard surf and car songs (California Girls, Surfer Girl, Shut Down, etc.). Then they took a break before coming back to play Pet Sounds in its entirety.

Before playing “God Only Knows” (one of my favorite Beach Boys’ songs), Brian told the audience that it was the best song he’d ever written. Almost brought a tear to my eye, because it was always a moving song, but knowing that the artist must have poured his soul into it makes it all the more special.

After Pet Sounds, the band played a nice long encore of about six songs, including “Good Vibrations,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Fun Fun Fun,” and “Surfin’ USA.” By the time they took their final bow together, I was so moved and musically satisfied, I could not think of a single other song I would have wanted to hear.

I think that the most inspiring part of the concert was the fact that Brian Wilson, despite his personal issues, was able to get on stage and perform, and that his friends who joined him were totally supportive of him. You could sense it. Brian had his moments, where he sat at the piano and looked around, or obsessively checked his watch over and over and over, but no one minded and he was still able to pour out his emotion through the music. It affirmed what I have always known, that music has the power to heal and inspire.

I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I’ll make you so sure about it

God only knows what I’d be without you