Schizophrenic instability. It's a dangerously shaky state of being that threatens every facet of life. But for the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson's psychosis was also the group's paradoxical saving grace.
This year, the iconic surf band is celebrating its 50th anniversary by hitting the road and tackling major U.S. festivals like Bonnaroo. And for the first time in 46 years, the touring lineup will include principal Beach Boys songwriter and founding member, Brian Wilson.
Five decades ago, the Beach Boys rose to pop culture prominence as an innocent, All-American group of Southern California surfers who wrote songs about West Coast beach life and racing muscle cars.
By the mid '60s, though, the stress of touring proved too difficult for Wilson to handle. And after suffering a mid-air panic attack during a flight to Houston, he gave up.
As a result, Wilson spent more time in the studio, experimenting with new sounds and complex recording processes. He and the band also started messing with psychedelic drugs.
That period of experimentation, however, resulted with what is perhaps the greatest American rock "concept" record of all time, Pet Sounds, all thanks to a little craziness, some drugs, bicycle bells, Coca-Cola cans, and barking dogs.
The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour. Friday, May 4. Hard Rock Live, One Seminole Way, Hollywood. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $57.75 to $114.25 plus fees via ticketmaster.com. Call 954-797-5531 or visit hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com.
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