The Beach Boys’ Endless Summer Gold tour performed to a large turnout at Sonoma State’s Green Music Center on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
The concert’s audience was comprised of a wide range of attendees, such as original fans, newer fans and families–ll of which came together to appreciate the Beach Boys’ music. The concert was filled with audience participation, which included singing, dancing and beach ball tossing. Sonoma State University alumni Joan Hawley was one of the attendees at the concert. “I was singing everything at the top of my lungs,” Hawley said. “You know most of the lyrics, and you just sing along–it’s great!”
Fourth-year environmental science major Casey Hemphill believes that the surf rock genre is still alive and well. “I think that people from all ages can enjoy [the Beach Boys’] music,” Hemphill said.
The Beach Boys first started as a family surf band, composed of brothers Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend from school, Al Jardine. The band rose to fame in the 1960s with the release of their first album “Surfin’ Safari.”
The Beach Boys went on to produce and sell over 100 million records worldwide, introducing California’s surf culture to a global audience. Over their musical career, the Beach Boys have had the most songs in the U.S. Top 40 of any U.S. rock band, with 36 songs. In 1988, rock experts inducted the band the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked the band No. 12 on its “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” list, while ranking their album “Pet Sounds” as No. 2 on its “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list.
Following the death of singer and lead guitarist Carl Wilson in 1998, the Beach Boys disbanded. However, the band’s remaining members have since continued playing and producing music, with the release of the most recent album, “Back In The City” in March 2024.
The band’s current touring lineup includes longtime members Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, who joined the band in 1965. They are accompanied by Love’s son Christian, Jon Bolton, Randy Leago, Tim Bonhomme, John Wedemeyer, Keith Hubacher and musical director Brian Eichenberger.
During the band’s performance, they played fan favorites, including “Good Vibrations,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Surfin’ USA,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Kokomo” and more.
The Endless Summer Gold Tour is continuing until March 2025, with its next tour destinations including Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky.
To see more live music at the Green Music Center, visit gmc.sonoma.edu to buy your tickets today. SSU students can purchase $10 tickets for most shows or receive 50% off regular single ticket prices.
