While there have been many groups to call California home since the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll five decades ago, none has come to represent the Golden State quite like The Beach Boys. No matter where in the world you go, the sounds of sun, surf and youth that the band’s frontman, Brian Wilson has written have become synonymous with our home state. Though the band has always been based in the Los Angeles area, both The Beach Boys and Wilson alone on solo jaunts have had numerous adventures in San Diego.
On Jan. 26, Brian Wilson and a crack band that includes another former Beach Boy will make an appearance at 4th & B. It promises to be a hit-filled concert with chart-toppers galore from their first global smash, “Surfin’ USA” “” which manages to name check Del Mar, La Jolla and Swami’s during its scant two minutes “” through more psychedelic fare such as “Good Vibrations,” as well as tracks from Wilson’s on solo works. 4th & B’s great sightlines and sound system are a far cry from his first local appearance with The Beach Boys at Pacific Beach’s long-defunct Roxy Theatre back in 1962, when they played during the intermission at a screening of surfing movies. The group has since played locally dozens of times, but their most infamous visit took place on Feb. 15, 1966, at our own San Diego Zoo. Although not a single note was played, the resulting photo shoot yielded the cover of the band’s legendary “Pet Sounds” album. Several well-respected session men, including drummer John Guerin and guitarist Barney Kessel, also took part in many sessions with The Beach Boys during the decade.
During the ’70s, The Beach Boys continued their hit parade with songs like “Rock ‘n’ Roll Music” and “It’s OK,” but it was a visit to San Diego during June of 1977 that truly cemented Wilson’s local legend. Having hitchhiked to Mexico and found his way back to San Diego, that month he was discovered, barefoot, unwashed and passed out in Balboa Park under a tree near the foot of the Laurel Street Bridge. Guitarist Marc Intravaia, then with prog-pop band Listen and currently performing with local roadhouse blues shouter Eve Selis, had a near run-in with Wilson at the time.
“[Listen’s] drummer met and jammed with Brian Wilson,” Intravaia explains. “A mutual friend spotted Brian in Mission Beach wandering down the street and gave him a lift to (another local band) the Siers Bros. house. He tried to contact me but I was in Catalina.” Wilson’s meeting with the band, though brief, did yield some results. “They all met and played ‘Little Deuce Coupe,’ and ‘Darlin,'” Intravaia explained. “Brian cleared up our confusion about the words in the chorus ‘O, keep dreamin’ it darlin’. We were doing the song in Listen around that time and couldn’t quite make them out.”
After Wilson was picked up by local authorities under that tree he was transferred to Alvarado Hospital, where he spent some time recuperating. Perhaps not coincidentally, Alvarado Hospital is also where Wilson’s daughter, Carnie, went to have her weight reduction surgery.
In the ensuing years, Wilson’s visits have had a much more positive spin. In 1990, he surprised local music junkies once again by making an unannounced appearance at Mission Valley’s Hanalei Hotel “” with iconic drummer Hal Blaine in tow “” during a Beach Boys fan convention.
While recent appearances have been far more orthodox, they are no less special. “Simply put, Brian Wilson is one of our greatest living songwriters,” said Mark DeCerbo, guitarist with the area’s top covers group, Rockola. “Any chance to take in a night of music from this master of song craft should not be missed.” For Decerbo, it’s the vocals that set Wilson’s music apart. “The music can be magical enough,” he remarked, “but no one can put together vocal arrangements like Brian Wilson. It’s spine tingling at times and never less than brilliant.”
Few artists can touch the breadth of Wilson’s catalog, resulting in a night that can touch on numerous tunes and emotions. With dissent amongst the surviving Beach Boys, the added spark of Al Jardine onstage should kick up the proceedings a notch, making this concert as close to The Beach Boys experience as one is likely to find in 2007. Whether you are a fan of ’60s pop or the solo works, Wilson’s appearance this month promises to be a memorable night out.
Brian Wilson performs at 4th & B Friday, Jan. 26. For more information, visit www.ticketmaster. com.