My First BB Concert/Your First BB Concert

[KDS]

June 15, 2012 - Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD - C50 Tour

Have seen both band a combined 23 times since but nothing will ever beat that!!! My only wish is I could have seen Carl live in concert! But considering I was 3 when he passed it sadly wasn't possible.

Same as mine.  But, I've only attended six BB/BW shows since. 

But, that night at MPP was magical.   

[SMiLE Brian]

July 3 2012. 21st birthday and a BBs show!

[Hickory Violet Part IV]

July 3 2012. 21st birthday and a BBs show!

Melinda, there's no way you're 26!

[SMiLE Brian]

Busted!

[marcella27]

October 29th, 1978. I was 14 years old and had just started my freshman year in high school. Like most of my friends I listened to a wide variety of music, mostly whatever the current hits were at the time. I had a couple of Beach Boys albums, In Concert and Endless Summer and was somewhat familiar with 15 Big Ones, but that was as far as my interest went. My oldest brother was taking me to California over the Christmas holiday and thought that taking me to see The Beach Boys would be a cool way to add to the “California” experience. It took a little convincing to get my parents to agree but they said it was ok for me to go. It’s a good thing too... my brother already bought the tickets…front row center at the Milwaukee Arena!

I was pretty excited to go and in the weeks prior I listened to the Beach Boys quite a bit. This would be my first “real’ concert and I couldn’t wait for the day to arrive. Then real life kicked in. A few days before the concert a friend from the neighborhood died from leukemia. His name was Danny and he was the same age as me. The last time I saw him was early that summer. I was walking to a friend’s house when he rode up on his bike and I could see that he was ill. He was pale and his hair was thin and almost colorless. I asked him how he was and he looked at me and said “the cancer is back”. Even at 14 I knew that it wasn’t good and the look in his eyes told me that he knew he wouldn’t be around much longer. Those few moments have stuck with me since then and will probably always be there. I hadn’t seen Danny since then and it still was stunning news.

As it turned out the visitation at the funeral home was the same day as the concert. A group of us that went to school together met at our old elementary school and walked the few blocks to the funeral home. I don’t think any of us had ever encountered the death of someone in our age group and it was a very difficult and emotional experience for all of us. On the way home I was contemplating telling my brother that I just didn’t feel like going to a concert anymore. My Dad convinced me that I should go and try to have a good time. As usual he was right.

For such a long time ago I still have many vivid memories of that concert. Besides the usual hits I remember Lady Lynda (what a cool song that was!), Peggy Sue (wait…that’s a Buddy Holly song!), Country Pie and Almost Summer (I’ve GOT to get those songs!). There was Dennis Wilson peeling off his shirt and putting on a Milwaukee Bucks t-shirt, much to the delight of the crowd. As Fun, Fun, Fun ended there comes Mike Love to the front of the stage…and as I reached out he shook my hand! Unbelievable night! What I remember most is how the music, and the guys playing it, made me feel so good and so happy after such a tragic and emotional day. From that day on The Beach Boys were “it” for me. I bought everything with The Beach Boys name on it, LP’s, 45s, CDs etc. Rarely has a year gone by that I missed a chance to see either the band or one them solo. I’m probably over 40 shows by now and I will keep going as long as they keep playing. No matter what differences they have with each other Brian, Carl, Dennis, Mike, Al, David, Bruce, Blondie, and Ricky will all equally be my favorites. It’s the music…it was and always will be.

I know you posted this almost two months ago but I just had to say that this is quite possibly the best post ever.  And your brother sounds unbelievable...taking you to California and kicking it off with front row seats to see the BBs?

[GoogaMooga]

Wembley Arena, 1989. I went with a friend who had originally turned me on to The Beach Boys. I knew them before meeting him, but he made me realize just how great they were. We were sat in the Arena, quite close to the stage, and we borrowed a program from another person. My friend showed me the iconic photo of the young Beach Boys carrying that surf board on the beach. He had to point out and name the individual members, that's how green I was. The band then came out, and Mike started his thing, working up the audience. Beach balls were bouncing in the air over the audience. One man from the audience shouted, "We want Brian!" Mike laughed.


Wembley Arena, London, England
September 8, 1989

Chicago did not join the Beach Boys for their 1989 European dates, hence the return of the standard setlist.
Beach Boys present:

Carl Wilson
Mike Love
Bruce Johnston
Al Jardine
Backup band included:

Jeff Foskett
Billy Hinsche
Mike Kowalski
SETLIST

1. California Girls
2. Sloop John B.
3. Wouldn't It Be Nice
4. Do It Again
5. Darlin'
6. Cottonfields
7. Rock And Roll Music
8. Be True To Your School
9. Don't Worry Baby
10. Hushabye
11. Then I Kissed Her
12. Surfer Girl
13. Still Cruisin'
14. Little Deuce Coupe
15. Little Old Lady From Pasadena
16. Shut Down
17. Little GTO
18. I Get Around
19. God Only Knows
20. California Dreamin'
21. Good Vibrations
22. Kokomo
23. Come Go With Me
24. Help Me Rhonda
25. Surfin' Safari
26. Surf City
27. Surfin' USA
Encore:
28. Wipeout
29. Barbara Ann
30. Fun Fun Fun
Contributed by: Ian Alexander-Barnes

[Occasional grilled cheese]

Never got to see the Beach Boys with Carl, though I do remember taking interest in a TV commercial for a show they were playing at Six Flags NJ between 94 and 96. I was too small to ride any roller coasters, so I probably didn't think my parents , fans as they were, would agree to drive three hours.

The first show I got to attend was a Mike and Bruce outing in Lancaster, PA on 8/26/2000. Didn't find out they also played in Atlantic City later that day for many years. It was an early birthday present (thanks Mom and Dad).  In the lead up to the show I felt really self-conscious cause I didnt expect anyone else my age would be there, which is funny to think about now considering how many shows I've attended by myself over the years. I wonder if the local health and racquetball club would still honor the free "Beach Boys VIP" pass I got at that show.

I returned the favor when C50 came up and took them to the Camden, NJ show, which exceeded my expectation by a mile and a half. Almost didn't go to save money but, well, I'm glad I changed my mind in time.

[UEF]

Only been to three, kinda...

Brian Wilson @ Glastonbury 2005

Beach Boys @ Later with Jools Holland 2012 (TV show)

Beach Boys @ Royal Albert Hall 2019

I'd like to make up for lost time if I can Sad

[UEF]

Duplicate ignore

[patsy6]

June 21, 1978 in Rochester, NY. Beach Boys lineup was Brian, Carl, Dennis, Al and Mike. They sounded great, especially in the wild month June, 1978. At the beginning of that month you may recall that Brian went missing. He first went to Mexico and then to San Diego, where he was found in Balboa Park. He spent some days hospitalized in San Diego and then joined the summer tour. A week before the concert there was an article in our newspaper saying that Brian Wilson would not appear in Rochester, so we were absolutely stunned to see him there in the flesh on the 21st. Surprisingly, he sounded okay, even taking the lead on some songs.