Feel like introducing myself to this wonderful community!
My name's Peter. 23 yrs old. Born, raised, & still living in San Francisco. Always loved the Beach Boys. First time i really got into 'em was when i bought the Sounds of Summer cd about 10 yrs ago (hell, it probably was exactly 10 yrs ago or not long after it came out, since that cd was released in June of '03). My brother thought I should get Pet Sounds since that was considered the masterwork of The Beach Boys. I went for the compilation tho, cause why turn down one disc of 30 various hits? I luv that aspect of discovery with comps. The song that really caught my ear on it was Getcha Back. Damn, that tune set me off. Made me want to buy the '85 album that it came from, which i eventually did & came to love.
I had a vague familiarity w/ Brian Wilson. My father had seen him in '99. Said he seemed kind of aloof. I seem to remember discussing B.W. w/ him one time & him mentioning the craziness of his life, the mental illness & his controlling therapist. He was quite excited when Smile was released in '04. He played it quite often. I remember thinking what eccentric but enchanting music it was (& oh what rapture i felt listening to this "other" version of Good Vibrations). I really got into it myself. Funny, i had no idea who Van Dyke Parks was, but i got the impression that he was some young hipster collaborator.
A few yrs later, I discovered a song that B.W. had done w/ Lindsey Buckingham from Fleetwood Mac (my other favourite band). It was that Usher version of He Couldn't Get His Poor Old Body to Move. It was on youtube, where i subsequently discovered some other hidden gems like Mike Love's awesome song Tricia and the Paley Sessions (which i thought were from the '70s). Then I bought the B.W. '88 album, listened to Sweet Insanity, & fell in fucking luv. Let's Go to Heaven In My Car is my fav. B.W. song, btw
Got to see the Boys in Berkeley in 2012 w/ my father (who wondered if B.W. would be there). Damn good show. Here's a pic i took
So, here I am. Sharing my story w/ all you other awesome fans. Luv this board & i can't wait to see Love & Mercy!