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BEACH BOYS REUNION!
The Beach Boys are reuniting for a global 50th Anniversary Celebration this year. Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks have recorded a new studio album, That's Why God Made the Radio, currently set for a June 5th release in the U.S. The first single from the new album is the title track, “That's Why God Made the Radio,” and is now available as a digital download. (Watch the promo video here.) Other tracks on the album include “Think About the Days,” “Isn't It Time,” “Spring Vacation,” “Private Life of Bill and Sue,” “Shelter,” “Daybreak Over the Ocean,” “Beaches in Mind,” “Strange World,” “My Life Suite,” and “Summer's Gone.” (The late Carl Wilson may appear on another potential track, “Waves of Love.”)
There will be commemorative catalog releases with Capitol/EMI and an international tour which includes headlining performances at the New Orleans Jazz Fest and at Bonnaroo. Read the full press release. Watch the “Do It Again” video on the official BBs YouTube channel.
The BBs made their first reunion appearance at the Grammy Awards on February 12th, joining with bands Foster The People and Maroon 5 for a special performance (the BBs' first live appearance together since 1996). Links to photos from the Grammy show are here and here, plus a post-performance interview here.
The Beach Boys performed “Surfer Girl” and sang the national anthem before the Dodgers' baseball game in Los Angeles on April 10th. More. (updated 4/25/12)

BB REUNION ON PBS' FRONT ROW CENTER: The Beach Boys will be appearing on the PBS music series Front Row Center, on or around June 7, 2012 (see your local PBS station's listings for exact day and time). This 90-minute episode features footage from the BB's BB's May 2nd concert in St. Augustine, FL. A 2-hour special titled “The Beach Boys: Summer's Gone,” is also in the works, with a look back at their career, never-before-seen archival concert footage, and songs from their new album, That's Why God Made the Radio.
The BBs recorded an in-studio concert for SiriusXM's Artist Confiential series, to run Saturday, May 26th at noon ET. (SiriusXM is a subscription radio service.) More info. (updated 4/26/12)

Upcoming TV Appearances:

• April 29 — CBS Sunday Morning, feature story with interviews; transcript here
  
• May 7 — Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, NBC, multi-song performance and interview
  
• May 16 — QVC, with a special hour-long live performance at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT)
  
• June 6 — Tonight Show With Jay Leno, performance
• June 7 — Front Row Center, “The Beach Boys: Live from the St. Augustine Amphitheatre,” PBS
• TBD — The Beach Boys: Summer's Gone 2-hr. special
  

The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Commemorative 'ZinePak is coming out on May 1, 2012. This package includes an 11-track CD featuring the new version of “Do It Again,” plus a 72-page magazine with rare photos and new interviews with Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, and David Marks. The BB 'ZinePak will be sold only at WalMart. More.
In other publication news, the UK magazine Mojo's latest issue has a 22-page feature story on the BBs. (4/20/12)

Al Jardine's A Postcard from California (previously available only as a digital/burn on demand release) will finally be released in physical CD format on April 3, 2012, on Waterfront Entertainment/Robo Records. The CD will have three bonus tracks, including “Waves of Love” (with Carl Wilson vocals), “California Dreamin’” (featuring Glen Campbell, David Crosby, and John Stamos) and a remake of “Sloop John B” (based Al's book, Sloop John B: A Pirate’s Tale). Postcard will be available from online retailers and in select record stores. For more info, go to Al's website.
Al will be making an in-store appearance at Fingerprints Music (420 E. 4th Street, Long Beach, CA 90802), on Record Store Day, April 21, at 2 p.m. (updated 4/2/12)

Billy Hinsche is now offering pre-orders for the revamped DVD release of his film, Know the Road (Redux) — Rock 'n' Roll Travel Tips, which features guest appearances by various members of the Beach Boys. Watch the preview here. (updated 3-30-12)

THE BEACH BOYS SMILE IS HERE — FINALLY!
Capitol Records released the Beach Boys' long-lost album Smile, in November 2011. Titled The Smile Sessions, the set is available in multiple versions — a two-CD set; a two-disc vinyl edition, a limited-edition boxed set, and digital. Mark Linett and Alan Boyd co-produced the release.
The Smile Sessions box set consists of five CDs, two vinyl LPs in gatefold covers, two vinyl 45s (“Heros & Villains” and “Vege-Tables”) with pic sleeves, a reproduction of the original Smile insert booklet, a poster of Frank Holmes' cover art, and a 60-page hardbound book. (Click on the image below to see the box set package.) An “Intro to Smile” video with interviews from the individual Beach Boys, Mark Linett, and Alan Boyd is now available from the BBs' YouTube channel. Footage from one of the “Good Vibrations” recording sessions is included in the intro video.
The book has liner notes from Beach Boys Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Alan Jardine, and Bruce Johnston, as well as contributions from artist Frank Holmes, Peter Reum, Craig Slowinski, Tom Nolan, Dominic Priore, Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, Diane Rovell, Dean Torrence, Mark Volman, Michael Vosse, David Anderle, and Danny Hutton. There are also lyrics, illustrations by Frank Holmes, previously unreleased photos, an in-depth sessionography, and more. (updated 10/28/11)

Smile Sessions links:

• The Beach Boys's official YouTube channel keeps adding new Smile goodies. See the BBs talk about Smile, watch Brian demonstrate the light-up version of the box set and explore the details of the box set in an animated unboxing video.
• Read the full track lineups at RollingStone.com.
• Explore special Smile package combinations at Capitol's official Beach Boys site.
• Get updates from the official Beach Boys Facebook page.
• Listen to interviews about The Smile Sessions with Mark Linett, Alan Boyd, and Jon Stebbins at Iconfetch.com.
• See who won the contest to create videos for “Heroes & Villains” and “Good Vibrations” at Tongal.com.
• The UK magazine Mojo, in prelude to The Smile Sessions' release, put out a Mojo '60s Special issue, with a focus on Smile. The special issue includes a remastered 7" yellow vinyl single of the Beach Boys' “Cabin Essence” and “Wonderful.” (updated 8/26/11)
  

A biopic of Dennis Wilson's later years, tentatively titled The Drummer, is planned for 2012. Aaron Eckhart has been signed to portray DW, Vera Farmiga to play Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac), Rupert Grint as Stan Shapiro, and Chloe Moretz as Jennifer Wilson. Dennis' son Carl B. Wilson and daughter Jennifer will serve as co-producers on the film. Music from Dennis' Pacific Ocean Blue, as well as previously unreleased Dennis Wilson and Beach Boys music will be featured in the soundtrack.
In other movie news, a script for a Brian Wilson biopic has been completed. Yet another film project, a fictional story based on The Beach Boys' music, is also in the works. (updated 3/18/12)

The Fall '11 issue of the BBFC Newsletter is out, with an interview with Matt Jardine. To order, see below. (11/30/11)

Brian Wilson has released In the Key of Disney, an album of Brian's takes on 11 Disney film music classics. Tracks include “Baby Mine,” “I Just Can't Wait to Be King,” “Stay Awake,” and “When You Wish Upon a Star” (the song that inspired “Surfer Girl”). Listen to “Heigh-Ho/Whistle While You Work,” courtesy of brianwilson.com. The album is on Disney Pearl Records. Available in stores, online, and iTunes; Amazon is offering versions with bonus tracks. (updated 8/25/11)

Brian also contributes a track to the new multi-artist Buddy Holly tribute album, Listen to Me. Brian does his own take on the title song, “Listen to Me,” now available as a free download from RollingStone.com. The extended EPK is also available for viewing on YouTube. (updated 8/20/11)

The Beach Boys were inducted into the California Hall of Fame, along with Buzz Aldrin, Magic Johnson, Carlos Santana, Amy Tan, and others. The governer and first lady of California made the selection for the sixth annual induction, honoring “legendary people who embody California's innovative spirit” (press release). The ceremony took place on Dec. 8, 2011 at the Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J Street in Sacramento, CA. (updated 12/9/11)

Billy Hinsche brings us a second BB-themed documentary this year! 24 Hours is a fun look at the BB's 1991 tour (as they travel to 5 cities in one 24-hour period). The single-disc DVD is now available at www.billyhinsche.com. See the trailer here on YouTube. (updated 8/9/11)

The Beach Boys have released a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single of “Don't Fight the Sea” (the group track from Al Jardine's A Postcard from California, listed under their individual names) backed with “Friends (a capella),” a previously unreleased version from 1968. Proceeds from this single will benefit Japanese Red Cross relief efforts. “Don't Fight the Sea” is available in record stores and also available via Al Jardine's website and Sound Stage Direct. Read the full story here, as reported by David Beard on the Examiner website: Part 1 and Part 2. (updated 4/22/11)

Congratulations go to Bruce Johnston, on the birth of his second grandchild, Eddie Johnston! (8/16/11)

The Beach Boys reunited in the studio this summer to test the recording waters once again, working on a new version of “Do It Again.” (7/9/11)

In celebration of Record Store Day, Capitol/EMI has released a limited edition vinyl pressing of The Beach Boys' “Good Vibrations,” backed with “Heroes and Villains.” This release consists of a limited edition double 78 RPM (yes, really!) set with the original single release mixes on one disc and alternate versions of both songs on the other disc. (updated 4/7/11)

Billy Hinsche's documentary on Carl Wilson is now available. Carl Wilson — Here and Now is a 2-disc DVD package and is now available from www.billyhinsche.com. See the trailers here and here on YouTube.
Billy is also teaching guitar classes online via SKYPE. For more details, go to his website. (updated 6/5/11)

Brian Wilson received the Chairman's Award for Sustained Creative Achievement at the 2011 NARM Music Business Convention in Los Angeles on May 12, 2011. (3/28/11)

REUNION APPEARANCE: Al Jardine joined fellow Beach Boys Mike Love and Bruce Johnston on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, for a 20-minute set at the Ronald Reagan Presidental Library & Museum, as part of the late former President's centennial birthday celebration. The Beach Boys were part of “A Concert for America: A Tribute to Ronald Reagan” video link here. The next day, the BBs joined Nancy Reagan onstage to sing "Happy Birthday" to former President Reagan. Photos of the event may be found on Al Jardine's website. (updated 2/14/11)

David Marks plays guitar on a new Francine Reed track, “Surrender,” which was written by BB collaborator Stephen J. Kalinich and Jez Graham (of the Summertime Blues Band). Now available as a download single from iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. (3/6/11)

Al Jardine has a whale-watching video available for viewing here. (2/8/11)

A 2-disc expanded version of Billy Hinsche's DVD, 1974 — On the Road with The Beach Boys (Director's Cut), with additional archival video, vintage film, personal photos, and special guest appearances, is now available from his website. Filmed during April and May, 1974, this DVD offers an unique, first-hand look at the BB's life on the road. 1974 is $35, plus shipping. (updated 12/18/10)

Brian Wilson: Songwriter 1962-1969 is a new documentary film investigating Brian's work as a composer, primarily with The Beach Boys. Bruce Johnston, David Marks, Billy Hinsche, Danny Hutton, Carol Kaye, and Hal Blaine appear, along with others. The documentary is currently set for release on DVD on November 23, 2010. (10/5/10)

A new film project, based on The Beach Boys' music, is in the works. John Stamos (Glee) is co-producer. (10/5/10)

Brian Wilson's newest album project, Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin, has been completed and is currently scheduled for an August 17th release. A streaming audio preview of the entire BWRG album and special pricing packages are now available via Brian's website. See the promo video here and on YouTube.
Tracks on BWRG include “Rhapsody in Blue,” "The Like in I Love You,” “Summertime,” “I Loves You Porgy,” “I Got Plenty of Nothin,” “It Ain't Necessarily So,” “'S Wonderful,” “They Can't Take That Away from Me,” “Our Love Is Here to Stay,” “I've Got a Crush on You,” “I've Got Rhythm,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” and “Nothing But Love.” A bonus track will be available for those who purchase the album from iTunes. (updated 8/11/10)

Al Jardine's new album A Postcard from California will be released digitally on iTunes and Amazon (including a CDR version), Tuesday, June 29, 2010. (No information is available at this time on other possible formats.) Alan is joined by some very special guests, including Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, David Marks, Bruce Johnston, Matt and Adam Jardine, as well as Steve Miller, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Glen Campbell, Flea, Scott Mathews, Norton Buffalo, Alec Baldwin, and others. Read more.
The track listing and audio samples are available at Alan's website at www.aljardine.com. BBFC's October 2007 interview with Al also appears on his site, in the “Articles” section. (updated 6/25/10)

Carl Wilson's second solo album, Youngblood, has been reissued on CD by Iconoclassic Records. Youngblood was originally released in 1983 and as a Japanese import CD in the early '90s. This will be the album's first release on CD in the U.S. (updated 9/26/10)

The T.A.M.I. Show, a 1964 concert film featuring The Beach Boys, James Brown, the Rolling Stones, and more, and hosted by Jan & Dean was unavailable in its entirety for decades. Shot live in L.A. before an ecstatic audience, the T.A.M.I. Show: Collector's Edition has been fully restored and released on DVD by Shout! Factory. On sale now at brick-and-mortar and online retailers. (updated 3/21/10)

Brian Wilson and Alan Jardine are part of the all-star supergroup singing on the new version of “We Are the World,” recorded on February 1, 2010. The song and video debuted during the Winter Olympics telecast and are now available via iTunes and other online music services. Proceeds from the remake will go to benefit Haitian earthquake relief efforts. (updated 3/9/10)

A new 60-minute documentary film on the life of Dennis Wilson has been created for the BBC4 Legends series and will premiere in the UK on Friday, February 26, 2010 at 9 p.m. The documentary features previously unseen footage and rare archival materials. New interview segments with David Marks, Al Jardine, Blondie Chaplin, Michael Wilson, Carl B. Wilson, Gregg Jakobson, Ed Roach, John Hanlon, Jeffrey Foskett, Tom Murphy, Ron Swallow, Jo Ann Marks, Taylor Hawkins, Mike Kowalski, Jon Stebbins (also a co-producer), and others give the film a fresh perspective on Dennis' life and legacy. Watch it online here. (updated 1/13/10)

At least four new Beach Boys books in print and in progress. More. (12/21/09)