1/23/1987 Beach Boys, Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ


 34 years ago today...

January 23, 1987 - Phoenix, AZ

The surf was up and the vibrations good when the Beach Boys brought fun, fun, fun to the round, revolving stage at Celebrity Theatre.

This was my first time seeing the Beach Boys, so I never saw the full classic lineup.  Dennis Wilson had drowned in Marina del Rey four years earlier.  Brian Wilson was not in the band at the time, dealing with substance abuse and mental issues.  Carl Wilson and cousin Mike Love were the band leaders.
 
I was fortunate to see Brian present his 50th anniversary celebration of the "Pet Sounds" album at this same theatre in 2016. Brian was in good voice on this night, but offered little in banter and the briefest of song introductions.  Original Beach Boy Al Jardine remains in Brian's band, along with guitarist Blondie Chaplin.

The current version of the Beach Boys is led by Love and Bruce Johnson.  Sadly, there has been a long-time family feud with multiple law suits with Love suing Brian for millions.
  
We saw Brian again in 2019 and he was not sharp.  Jardine had to do most all of the talking.  Love's current road show is just a nostalgia act.  Brian was clearly the genius of the group and despite his limitations is a more engaging show.

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