I just picked up a few old music magazines from the 1960's today, and I found a couple rather interesting Beach Boys items in there. First off, is the most ironic trade ad for an album I have ever seen:
Ah yes, the album that did indeed "put out a Smile"... not to mention putting out the creative drive of Brian Wilson.
Also in this issue, is a very interesting letter sent in by a Beach Boys fan. Yes, there are a few factual errors in it, but as you read it, keep in mind that this was written in December of 1967. Obviously this guy figured out in 1967 what took much of mainstream society 30 years to figure out.
BEACH BOY FAN SPEAKS UP
"Dear Beat,
I am a devoted fan of the Beach Boys with plenty to say. I think it's about time the Beach Boys got the recognition they deserve. The Beach Boys rule. Allow me to explain why.
Along in about 1961 4 young Californians recorded "Surfin'". Later they recorded more surf songs and then some hot rod songs (Little Deuce Coupe, 409, Shut Down). They had started a new type of music. They had made their dent in pop music before the Beatles had. During the early days of the Beach Boys people mostly heard "Beach Boys Rule" or "Surfers Rule".
In 1963 when the Beatles stepped foot on U.S. soil they conquered America. The Beach Boys had already conquered America and had been on top of the charts for 2 1/2 years. The Beatles' popularity did not stop the Beach Boys from making and selling records.
In 1966 the Monkees came about. They took over America after the Beatles had been on top for 2 1/2 years. What was to happen to the Beach Boys? Were they to die? NO! The Beach Boys were the first American group to ever be grooved over as music as the Beatles in England. They took over the British throne. Did this surprise the Beach Boys' fans? No, but it sure surprised a lot of people. They Beach Boys conquered Britian before the Monkees even had time to think about Britain. What can be attributed to the Beach Boys' long success? The most contributing factor is probably Brian Wilson, in my opinion the pop genius of our time. Brian puts himself into every song. Brian is John Lennon, Andrew Oldham, Sir Arthur Sullivan, Hamlet, Murph the Surf, Gypsy Boots, Sydney Carlton, Huck Finn, also Napoleon. He is a genius.
Beach Boy Carl Wilson has recently been acquitted of a charge of evading the draft. I'm not going to keep on writing. The fab Beach Boys have left 15 albums (including their wildly accepted Pet Sounds) and 20 singles behind them. They are not ready to stop. they will always be so great that all their fans will always be able to say "The Beach Boys Rule".
-Jim Maufair"
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