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IN TRIBUTE TO BRIAN WILSON... THE BEACH BOYS AT 50 - EPISODE 2 (320kbs-m4a/128mb/56mins)
BBC Radio 2 broadcast: 18th June 2025
In tribute to Brian Wilson, Harry Shearer, a huge fan of The Beach Boys, presents a two-part programme that mixes archive material with brand new interviews, and a sun-soaked soundtrack, to tell their story.
With 36 hits in the United States Top 40 (more than any other rock band), The Beach Boys are one of the most successful bands of all time.
The ultimate surf pop pin-ups, their irresistible harmonies influenced generations of artists. 1966's Pet Sounds is considered rock 'n roll's first ever concept album and is regularly found at the top of 'all time greatest albums' lists.
First broadcast in 2012.
IN TRIBUTE TO BRIAN WILSON... THE BEACH BOYS AT 50 - EPISODE 1 (320kbs-m4a/128mb/56mins)
BBC Radio 2 broadcast: 17th June 2025
In tribute to Brian Wilson, Harry Shearer, a huge fan of The Beach Boys, presents a two-part programme that mixes archive material with brand new interviews and a sun-soaked soundtrack to tell their story.
With 36 hits in the United States Top 40 (more than any other rock band), The Beach Boys are one of the most successful bands of all time.
The ultimate surf pop pin-ups, their irresistible harmonies influenced generations of artists. 1966's Pet Sounds is considered rock 'n roll's first ever concept album and is regularly found at the top of 'all time greatest albums' lists.
The first programme starts with the band's birth in Hawthorne, southern California, and explores their musical development up to and including the release of Pet Sounds. As well as band members, we hear from bassist Carol Kaye and legendary producers Alan Parsons and Steve Levine.
First broadcast in 2012.
BRIAN WILSON AT THE BBC (320kbs=m4a/129mb/56mins)
BBC Radio 2 broadcast: 14th June 2025
Highlights from singer, songwriter, producer and Beach Boy Brian Wilson's BBC interviews. Radio 2 looks back at the music and career of an artist who has been one of the most influential and original figures in popular music over the past 60 years. Featuring Brian's 2011 conversation with Matt Everitt and his 1976 encounter with Bob Harris for The Old Grey Whistle Test in which he discusses his writing, the creation of classic albums such as Pet Sounds and Smile, and his well documented mental health struggles.
Featuring Beach Boys classics including Surfin' USA, Then I Kissed Her, Good Vibrations, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times, California Girls, Surf's Up, solo recordings and rarities.
The Beach Boys - Our Prayer [Nonesuch]
The Beach Boys - Heroes And Villains [EMI]
John Wilson Orchestra - Overture Rhapsody in Blue [Warner]
The Delroys - Bermuda Shorts [Regency]
The Four Freshmen - It's A Blue World [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Surfin' [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Surfer Girl [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Surfin' USA [EMI]
The Beach Boys - Then I Kissed Her [EMI]
The Beach Boys - I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Surf's Up [Caribou/Epic]
The Beach Boys - Mount Vernon And Fairway [Epic]
The Beach Boys - Busy Doin' Nothin' [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Elements - The Fire Session [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Cabinessence [Capitol]
Brian Wilson - Love and Mercy [MCA]
Brian Wilson - California Girls [Giant]
Brian Wilson - Southern California [Capitol]
16 5 66 (320kbs-m4a/64mb/28mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 14th May 2016
On Monday 16th of May, 1966 two of the greatest albums of all time were released. Through archive, interviews and music from The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds and Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, we tell the story of the music from that momentous day.
For the American music lover, the two albums would come to shape music history. Blonde on Blonde is considered Bob Dylan's magnum opus, while Pet Sounds is The Beach Boys' epic journey into the musical mind of Brian Wilson.
Fifty years on, we hear from those who remember that day - musicians who worked on the albums, and teenagers who saved up to buy the records but had a choice to make, Pet Sounds or Blonde on Blonde.
We hear of two lovers who danced in the kitchen to Pet Sounds. Wouldn't it Be Nice played as they talked of the future. On that day in 1966, Bob Dylan was playing in Sheffield, one of his forty or so worldwide shows. One Dylan fan remembers it like it was yesterday. The next day Dylan would play Manchester and be called "Judas".
One day, two musical visions.
Produced by Barney Rowntree and Shani Aviram
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 4.
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 21st May 2016
Bob Harris presents the final episode of his six-part 1974 profile of The Beach Boys. In tonight's episode we find out what happened after Pet Sounds and about Brian Wilson's involvement in his wife's group, Spring. This part takes us up to the release of 15 Big Ones.
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 20th May 2016
Bob Harris tells the story of The Beach Boys. Tonight Bob finds out about the band changing labels and the way their music developed. First broadcast in 1974.
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 19th May 2016
Bob Harris explores what happened after Pet Sounds, why Smile wasn't released and Brian's love of vegetables. We also find out about why Carl Wilson was thrown in jail, why the Beach Boys dropped out of the Monterey Festival and how this affected the band. Bob also talks to Mike Love about meditation and the interest The Beach Boys and The Beatles shared in it. First broadcast in 1974.
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 18th May 2016
As Brian Wilson tours the UK, another chance to hear a 1974 series in which Bob Harris charts the rise of The Beach Boys. In part 3 of this 6-part series, Bob concentrates on the album Pet Sounds. Brian Wilson wanted to make the greatest pop record ever and the band discuss its creation. Surprisingly, Capitol Records weren't keen on Pet Sounds or promoting it. First broadcast in 1974.
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 17th May 2016
As Brian Wilson tours the UK another chance to hear a 1974 series in
which Bob Harris charts the rise of The Beach Boys in this second of a
six-part series. Exclusive interviews from the band and those involved
in their career. In part 2 the band are starting to find more success,
but Brian Wilson becomes increasingly reluctant to tour. We discover how
this affected the band, and we hear about their first trip to the UK.
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 16th May 2016
The Beach Boys Story (part 1 of 6) Beach, Boards and Buggies. As Brian Wilson tours the UK, a chance to hear Bob Harris's 1974 profile of the Beach Boys - tonight looking at their earliest days.
Brian Wilson discusses the Beach Boys' 1966 masterpiece.
The Beach Boys - Wouldn't It Be Nice [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - You Still Believe In Me [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - That's Not Me [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder) [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - I'm Waiting For The Day [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Let's Go Away For A While [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Sloop John B [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - God Only Knows [Capitol]
Brian Wilson & Mike Love & Terry Scahen - I Know There's An Answer [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Here Today [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - I Just Wasn't Made For These Times [Capitol]
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds [Capitol Records]
The Beach Boys - Caroline No [Capitol]