| The Beach Boys emerged by 1966 as America's pre-eminent pop group, the only act able to challenge (for a brief time) the success of The Beatles. With Brian's studio proficiency they also proved to be one of the best-produced groups of the '60s, exemplified by their 1966 peak with the 'Pet Sounds'. Though Brian's escalating drug use and obsessive desire to trump the Beatles eventually led to a nervous breakdown, the group soldiered on into the 1970s and '80s, with Brian only an inconsistent participant. He issued a debut solo album in 1988, but a pop crossover proved elusive; ironically, the Beach Boys recorded their own comeback and took 'Kokomo' to the top of the charts. In 2004 Wilson's preparation for resurrecting the legendary Beach Boys record 'SMiLE' for its live debut and a new studio recording over shadowed the release of 'Getting In Over My Head'. Both the live and studio versions earned rapturous reviews and Wilson then launched a full world tour off the back of the success. With over 40 years of fantastically crafted pop to choose from, there is no shortage of back catalogue rarities, amazing memorabilia and quality collectibles, all available right here in our specialist Beach Boys collectors store. |