In high school they were known variously as Kenny & The Cadets, Carl & The Passions, then The Pendletones. Their first record, Surfin, on the tiny Candix label, is worth about $250 today if you can find a copy. In 1962, they signed with Capitol Records in Hollywood, California and they ignited the surf-rock craze. Their popularity has never really waned throughout all the years and they continue performing today. The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and received a Lifetme Achivement Award at the Grammy's in 2001. And this summer they're back together, all original surviving members including Brian Wilson, and are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Beach Boys with a major tour.
Throughout their career they charted 60 singles on the Billboard chart, and incredibly their second to last song to hit the charts, Kokomo from the movie Cocktail, became one of their biggest songs ever, reaching #1 and selling in excess of Platinum. Eighteen hits landed in the Top Ten, with two of them reaching Gold and one Platinum status; but all have become classics.
Next on Treasure Island Oldies and the Annual Summer Beach Party, Voice Your Choice presents The Beach Boys. Cast your vote at the Voice Your Choice p[age for either California Girls or Surfin' USA. I'll play the winner on next week's show.
