Sorry that I have been a bit absent but I decided to give my knee a little extra rest
after the surgery. I hope you are all doing well and in the mood to maybe re-live
a bit of a teenage summer.
I know all our thoughts have turned to the fall season but here in Southern Californiathere are a few summer things that last well into the fall. One of these "summer"
things is time at the ocean. There is something very special about the Pacific Ocean in
the fall. And, another one of the "summer" things that continues is The Beach Boys
music. I think that no matter where we live when we hear The Beach Boys music on
the radio we all become a teenager again.
It was a fun surprise to find that there is a monument in honor of The Beach Boys
childhood home in Hawthorne, California where it all began. It is located at the former
location of the Wilson home where Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson grew up. The home
was demolished in the 1980's to make way for a Freeway.
I think when people hear The Beach Boys music they immediately think of the
Southern California lifestyle...surfing, beach parties, beach volleyball, etc. Their music
was really responsible for people all over the world imagining a lifestyle of fun at the
beach. Believe it or not, they have been performing for 50 years!
Bricks were donated by family, friends and fans and the bricks are engraved with the
donors names.
The monument also features a large white stone carving of The Beach Boys carrying a
surfboard and was inspired by the Surfer Girl album cover...
A bronze historical plaque is also part of the monument and marks the California
Registered Historical Landmark #1041...
There are also six gold records each with the name of the original Beach Boys.
Brian Wilson...
Carl Wilson...
Dennis Wilson...
Mike Love...
Al Jardine...
And David Marks...
Brian, Carl and Dennis were brothers and Mike and Al are their cousins.
David Marks was a neighbor who lived across the street.
It was 50 years ago this past Labor Day that they recorded their first tape which
started an image of California as a place of sun, surf and romance. Can you believe
it has been 50 years!!!
Construction of the monument was thanks to Scott Wilson, Dennis Wilson's adopted
son.
I happened to have worked with The Beach Boys a few times over the years. I also
attended one of Mike Love's weddings. I can't remember if it was Mike's fourth or
fifth or sixth wedding. But I do remember that dj and television host Wolfman Jack
officiated!
I would love to know if you were a Beach Boys fan and if you have any memories of
their music in your life. Do you know the lyrics to their songs when they come on the
radio and do you still sing along? Did their music spark your imagination of a certain
lifestyle when you were a kid? Maybe a teenage crush?
I have to admit that when I drive along Pacific Coast Highway and see all the surfers,
The Beach Boys music still goes through my mind...
Coming in at the end of the day...
And the birds are glad to have the beach all to themselves again!
I also had the pleasure of spending a little time again with Terri of La Dolfina and her
husband Chris. We were able to catch a lovely Malibu sunset and share some good
conversation and celebrate Terri's birthday.
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| Restaurant Floor |
It's always such a treat to see them and be sure to visit La Dolfina to catch up on Terri's
new antique store, The House of Hoarders. I hope she had a fun birthday weekend!
I hope you have a great week. Now I'm going to have fun catching up on your blogs.
15 comments:
I'm so glad to see you back!
The restaurant looks like a great place to celebrate.
The Beach Boys - oh yes. To a little Ontario teen they epitomized glamour and all that was lacking in rural Ontario in the 60's. There I was, stuck in a boring world, while out there somewhere there were kids in madras shorts, carrying surfboards and driving about in woodies - the stuff of fantasy!
i hope you are feeling better, i was wondering why you weren't posting, but i see you need your knee to get us out and about to enjoy your fun outtings~
how true, a ca summer goes until oct for me too, we finally got a cooling trend this weekend after 10 days straight of over 100 degrees...
i will confess, i am the only person i think on the planet not to like the beatles or beach boys... i liked the early early stuff, but cooled my jets on both very young :( much to my chagrin, my husband plays the beach boys way to often...
they do conjure up fun though, i can gidget, dobbie, beaver, that whole innocent fun era, i was born in southern ca and we moved to the north when i was 5, but i still remember the beach, catilina, sun and fun vividly~
SO glad to see you back! I hope the knee is soon at 100% Loved the post and reading about your Beach Boys connection!
So glad to see you're back on the air and I hope your knee is treating you well now. How fun to get to celebrate Terri's birthday together.
Wonderful monyment I always loved the beach boys!
Yes, yes, I remember those Beach Boys being a teen in the 70's and all. I am not one to know lyrics to songs though. I am glad you are taking care of that knee. hugs♥O
I'm glad you're back and I hope that you are feeling MUCH better. I sooo remember that music! I adored The Beach Boys and listened to all their music. It just takes me back to my young, carefree self when I hear their songs. Thanks for the memories- xo Diana
Oh Susan, I love this post and I love the Beach Boys!! Every time I hear one of their songs it takes me back immediately to my childhood. My Dad loved them and played their music all the time. I remember him taking me for spin on a skateboard and singing the lyrics to one of their songs.
Little Surfer always makes me nostalgic. Their music is almost like a smell, the minute I hear it, I'm transported back to wonderful memories. I totally agree that it exemplifies southern California to a T, especially since I'm getting to know it better and better since Christopher lives there!!
Several of his San Diego frat brothers remind me of the Beach Boys... some things never change!!
Thank you again for the amazing birthday dinner at the beach... Chris and I will never forget it!!!
You are the best! I'm so happy your knee problems have been dealt with... I look forward to seeing you jogging on the beach soon listening to the Beach Boys on your ipod :)
Lots of Love,
Terri
I remember the roller
rink playing "Wish they all
could be California Girls."
We loved the part about
Northern girls : ) !! So
glad you had a nice, long
recovery. I will check in
with Teri. Haven't heard
from her in a long time. Take
care, Cali girl!
xx The Northern Girl
The Beach Boys' songs of California sun and surf are fine for some. But, for us New York girls, like you and me, Susan, it's "Palisades Park" all the way.
Do you remember the way that old wooden roller coaster stretched across the cliffs over the Hudson? I just love that song and how it brings back memories of growing up just outside the City.
Their most beautiful song, to me, is a rendition of "Lonely Sea". "Sloop John B" in another favorite.
Thanks for the reminder of music that is still fun, even after half
a century and no matter which coast
you call home.
xoxoxo
Love this post. Brings back such memories. I too have been out of the blogging mix for a bit. Been working on a big work project. I am pretty backed up on my personal emails and such...hoping to catch up this weekend. Hope your knee is recovering nicely. I know that it has been given you problems. Have a great weekend!!
Well, the Beach Boys are a little before my time, but I do remember hearing there songs when I was young. Whenever I think of them I can't help but think of summer. Hope you're on the mend. Have a good weekend :)
Oh my, loved the Beach Boys and I could listen to them, non stop! Great post! I'm your newest follower, I'll be back!
Nancy
Hope your on the mend.
Neat tribute to the Beach Boys.
Hope your feelin' much better!
Bestow my heart girl...I'm a true fan!!! Love the Beach Boys!
God bless ya and have a marvelous day sweetie!!! :o)
My goodness - the Beach Boys! Long time ago......but remember well the time when they were highly popular in Germany.
Beautiful images of the sea side and the surfers!
Hope you are well and your knee is getting better by the day!
Warmest greetings,
karin
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