Post by erik on Apr 23, 2022 12:19:54 GMT -5
In this week's Pop Music Hits Spotlight is the single by the Beach Boys that saw them enter into direct competition with the Beatles, and still found a way to score a big and memorable hit.
FUN, FUN, FUN (The Beach Boys; Capitol; 1964)—Certain bands and groups define times and places in rock and roll; and when it comes to California during the first half of the 1960’s, that group was The Beach Boys. Featuring the talents of Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, and close friends Al Jardine and Mike Love, the group, formed in Hawthorne, a suburb in southwest Los Angeles, in 1961, defined two of the great teenage obsessions of the time and the place, which were surfing and hot-rod driving…along with a huge helping of female companionship, of course. By the time 1964 had started, they had already created many enduring anthems like “Surfin’ Safari”. “409”, “Shut Down”, “Surfin’ U.S.A.”, and “Be True To You School”. At the same time, however, they may have also been casting a wary eye towards England, as The Beatles were going over like gangbusters in their home country, and were about ready to take it to the former colonies. Unlike other groups of the early parts of the decade, and even other artists from the 1950’s, however (Elvis being the only exception), the Beach Boys were able to withstand the Beatles and their British Invasion by just sticking to their guns. Proof positive of this was the Brian Wilson/Mike Love-penned anthem “Fun Fun Fun”, about a girl who takes her father’s car for a joyride, only to have her old man take the keys from her. She is thus saved by her boyfriend. Recorded on New Year’s Day 1964 at Capitol Records’ home offices on Vine Street in Los Angeles, “Fun Fun Fun” might have seemed doomed to failure upon its release on February 3, 1964, just as the Beatles landed at JFK Airport in New York for their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. But the band still had an enormous amount of support, since “Fun Fun Fun” climbed up to #5 in late March 1964, one of the few American hits in a sea of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Though they would have their ups and downs (including Brian’s mental health issues, and both Carl and Dennis Wilson passing on all too soon), the Beach Boys nevertheless have continued to endure well into the 21st century.
FUN, FUN, FUN (The Beach Boys; Capitol; 1964)—Certain bands and groups define times and places in rock and roll; and when it comes to California during the first half of the 1960’s, that group was The Beach Boys. Featuring the talents of Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, and close friends Al Jardine and Mike Love, the group, formed in Hawthorne, a suburb in southwest Los Angeles, in 1961, defined two of the great teenage obsessions of the time and the place, which were surfing and hot-rod driving…along with a huge helping of female companionship, of course. By the time 1964 had started, they had already created many enduring anthems like “Surfin’ Safari”. “409”, “Shut Down”, “Surfin’ U.S.A.”, and “Be True To You School”. At the same time, however, they may have also been casting a wary eye towards England, as The Beatles were going over like gangbusters in their home country, and were about ready to take it to the former colonies. Unlike other groups of the early parts of the decade, and even other artists from the 1950’s, however (Elvis being the only exception), the Beach Boys were able to withstand the Beatles and their British Invasion by just sticking to their guns. Proof positive of this was the Brian Wilson/Mike Love-penned anthem “Fun Fun Fun”, about a girl who takes her father’s car for a joyride, only to have her old man take the keys from her. She is thus saved by her boyfriend. Recorded on New Year’s Day 1964 at Capitol Records’ home offices on Vine Street in Los Angeles, “Fun Fun Fun” might have seemed doomed to failure upon its release on February 3, 1964, just as the Beatles landed at JFK Airport in New York for their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. But the band still had an enormous amount of support, since “Fun Fun Fun” climbed up to #5 in late March 1964, one of the few American hits in a sea of John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Though they would have their ups and downs (including Brian’s mental health issues, and both Carl and Dennis Wilson passing on all too soon), the Beach Boys nevertheless have continued to endure well into the 21st century.