The Beach Boys - An American Band (complete film, 1985)

[@michaelclark4043]

When Carl passed away at the tender age of 51 back in 1998 the world lost a unique talent and individual. There will never be anyone else like him.

[@chrisfreeman9960]

Quite a thoughtful man in so many ways.

[@justuntlsundown]

The world was a better place when Carl was in it.

[@stanzaloan3454]

There's only 1 brother left

[@RicardoAlonso77]

@@stanzaloan3454 the most important one, the real genius behind the band

[@billburke1230]

​@@justuntlsundown get lost

[@archie1328]

the sincerity when Brian told us his therapy did get work, i could see some relieved happiness slightly spread over his face because his goal was to make people around him happy to see him kept getting back on track

[@edwardking1312]

So blessed to have all their music. So sad the drugs - a cautionary tale..

[@michaelclark4043]

Of all the other surf bands or any other bands out there for that matter the Beach Boys were in a class by themselves.

[@shaykatz5648]

The 1 surf group, in my opinion, that was in same class as The Beachboys was Jan & Dean. They were great until sadly The Dead Man's Curve accident.

[@michaelclark4043]

I like Carl's lead guitar playing on that song. He was the Clapton or Hendrix of the group. He was WAAAY underrated as far as guitarists go.

[@evanescence2721]

Actually, the best analogy for "the Hendrix or Clapton of the BBs" would be original member David Marks, a virtuoso axe player who was on their first 5 albums.

[@james---b]

please don't compare carl to hendrix or clapton.

[@gittahfiend]

Even though the beach are my favorite band, Carl wasn't in Hendrix or Clapton's league, but he was JUST RIGHT for the Beach Boys.

[@TheRealZenman]

​@@gittahfiendwell, he was good enough to play on Steely Dan's recordings.

[@JL4GL]

Wow a Beach Boys documentary I haven't seen yet.... love that they are telling their own story

[@johndoyle2429]

I had seen it years ago, that documentary was made in 1985. Two years before Dennis wilson died in 1983 R.I.P.

[@srldwg]

​​@@johndoyle2429 think it was a typo. He died December 28,1983. Well duh, you said that it was made in 1985.😂😂😂

[@johndoyle2429]

@@srldwg , My Mistake. I Was meant to say 1983 instead 1993. Computer phones can go funny sometimes when typing.

[@laminage]

Another one was called The Beach Boys: An American Band, it was produced by Malcolm Leo, Andrew Solt, & Stephanie Bennett. They are wizards at doing Music Documentaries, they also did an unauthorized one on The Beatles, Girl Groups, and The Heroes Of Rock & Roll.

[@johndoyle2429]

Lot changed with the beachboys since 1985. Well a small pit.

[@cherylb2008]

Genius Brian Loved Carl They were all wonderful

[@THECLARENCES]

Long live the memories of Dennis & Carl Wilson. xoxo The Clarences

[@chadmears136]

Love this! The Beach Boys were Great n Always will be. Dennis n Carl are missed soo much 😢❤ Dennis co wrote the song, "You Are Soo Beautiful".

[@steveskouson9620]

In my humble opinion, Dennis didn't sing that so well. But, if you have a dry eye after hearing, you have no heart! Heard it too many times, always needed a tissue. (or, a sleeve) steve

[@patticooke9300]

🎉God knows only how much we love you ⛱️ Beach Boys 🎉

[@dinacarr2734]

My favorite bit in this...Brian getting arrested by John Belushi and Dan Akroyd and dragged outta his bed in his robe to go surfing. All I could think was how after all those years in bed did Brian agree to that. He is such a good, unpretentious guy...not made for those times.

[@dans9463]

Around 1995, I'm alone at my Cotati, Sonoma pad.. Then a car appears at my driveway. My college roomate rode up from Santa Monica. He and a friend were helping to watch Brian Wilson 24/7.. In missing Sonoma, they brought Brian along.

[@Sami-ArtAus]

Dennis is so beautiful and talented. He deserved so much more. It isn't fair. 😢

[@teb2903]

It breaks my heart every time i think about it

[@denmar355]

Mostly life isn’t fair.

[@Mozart1220]

Brian deserved more than being abused and berated by asswipe Mike Love.

[@martyprice8288]

And he was also the nicest looking of all.

[@Sami-ArtAus]

​@@martyprice8288 Absolutely!!! 🔥

[@jeffreycone7504]

Im a big Beach Boy fan. When we lived in Inglewood we lived only three blocks from the Beach Boys. My baby sitter knew them personaly. Mikes sister Maureen played the harp at the church where I was babtized. She also was the harp acompaniment to my mothers solo singing performane.

[@charlescooper816]

I'm 58 years old and when I was just a little kid my older brothers would put on a beach boys album and it would instantly make me happy. One of the greatest bands ever. Their songs will stand the test of time.

[@mumbles215]

Help me Rhonda is one of the happiest songs ever. Even with the words “help me” in it. Just beautiful. The TV performance in this movies is the best version for me. Live and it sounds amazing, the drums hit hard, the back round vocals are sublime and Al’s lead is out of this world good.

[@marionstratford8503]

2 thumbs up, 10 stars and countless tears. Thanks much for sharing.

[@GregCurtin45]

Thanks for posting this outstanding tribute. So rare that full songs played in any bio-documentary. Really appreciate the upload

[@melwalker4089]

Love that too

[@oldman6487]

The Beach Boys music will always stay alive, I live in the shore area and the music fits like a shoe, The songs, "go out I know you had a rough day,,,,,,good vibrations etc, music will never age

[@AllThingsGuitar7M.M.P.]

Beautiful documentary

[@georgiapatriot13097]

My Dad would have enjoyed this documentary. He and I are huge Beach Boy fans. He especially loved the song at the end.

[@JoshHumble]

At the young age of 14, I saw this documentary after just becoming a fan. I'd never heard Surf's Up prior to this, and it hit me so hard at the end. Been my fave song since.

[@RockmeBaby-ne9kw]

Beach boys were my first idols in early Seventies , i had as well Ennio Morricone Shadows Rubbetts Abba Cliff richards Claude François Stone et Charden... ALL 33 TOURS AS 45 rpm.. i had Le lundi au soleil Aimer avant de mourir 1976 's hits...😊 That was the good times of music

[@dmmamc]

Same here. I first saw this documentary on VH1

[@legendaryTMNICO]

I had my high school graduation in the same football field where a few members of The Beach Boys played for the football team.

[@joeyricci3796]

I had seen this back in 1985! I loved The Beach Boys since I was 5!

[@ezrashachar47]

love this song surf's up.

[@josephscionti4680]

The Beach Boys were my first love of music! The gateway to my fascination with music! My very first album was The Beach Boys Concert back in 1965 when I was 13 years old. I must say this was an amazing documentary with footage that I’ve never seen before. Thank you so much for posting it!!

[@derekllewellyn6663]

It's looks like new DVD releases review history books documentary about biography book club fun more information on beach boys years 50 years company class starts at VIP tickets tour guide Legends of course of magen movie it's looks like new 🆕 picture

[@bobbibaker4685]

Denny and Carl, I miss you both so much. ❤😢❤😢

[@NateRuvin414]

Love this movie so much. Thank you for sharing

[@socadream]

I was a teen in the 70s and loved The Beach Boys….and spending every summer day at the beach…Hermosa, Manhattan, Redondo, Huntington etc…. I admit to ditching school with my friends and heading there too🤷‍♀️…what a fun time…also cruising the strand on our bikes, getting my tan on, transistor radio, bikini, cutoffs….all the cute guys…what a fun time…sigh💕

[@smacreavy]

Lovely!

[@michaellazzeri2069]

Ahhhhhhhhhh, The 70's ! What a decade ! THE finest, ever for American Music ! The decade of the singer--songwriters. ------MJL, 76 y/o

[@mrsmacca126]

Wolf sky?

[@ganojo1]

Not just American music. Music worldwide was just brilliant in the 70s and early 80s. Here in Australia we had some fantasic musos. I count myself very blessed to have been in my teens at that time.

[@angelabluebird609]

Uh, 60's AND 70's.

[@melissagarza2376]

Most hits from 60’s , but ofc their music was heard on the 📻 in 70’s and early 80’s on classic stations

[@helenckose8840]

Some stations have classics playing on Saturday morning or at an odd time.

[@georgemusic4all4seasons]

Really enjoying this Beach Boy movie right now and thank you for posting

[@Micko555]

WOW! This is AMAZING!!

[@redwemette5942]

I remember some of this from the late 60's I had my 409 Chevy Rag Top.......4 on the floor 2 quads, full racing cam.

[@NickMagallanezJr-k7z]

I THINK THE BEACH BOYS ARE THE GREATEST BAND THAT EVER PLAYED IN THE EARLY YEARS OF MUSIC.

[@ezrashachar47]

really got a lot out of this film pure magic thanks RON.

[@ingsve]

When I got the VHS of this documentary in the mid 90s it was my first proper education in the whole history of the Beach Boys. I was already a fan since I got a double cassette of their top 40 songs a few years earlier.

[@kathywinkle1207]

The BEST❤️🎵I So Enjoyed Watching This❤️🎵Not Enough Words To Put Out Here For………”The BEACH BOYS”Love Them NOW As I Did In Their Begining❤️🎵💯

[@breekolean2758]

Saw the band,talked with Michael Love back stage, just meet and greet stuff but it's still a happy memory from Grand Haven Michigan

[@ashokkarumbaya6328]

I met Mike Love on aplane( PanAm) in early 1968..New Delhi/ Hong Kong. He had just finished with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at Rishikesh where he'd met Lennon, Harrison amongst others. When he was made aware that I knew George & Patty Harrison well as also Alexis Mardas he got real friendly and asked me to change my hotel booking in Hongkong to the Mandarin as his guest for the 2 days I was there. He was on a record promotional tour of East Asia on his way back to L. A. I was on my way to the East.West Center in Hawaii for more insight into Tourism & the 👐 Hotel Industry which had taken root in India.

[@summer45able]

Thank you 🙏. Loved this. ❤️🇨🇦

[@Glaullian]

Thank you for sharing! Love from Brazil ❤ Beach Boys we’ll always love you ❤

[@theefguitars]

what a great movie, thanks for sharing

[@smacreavy]

👍

[@lindavenskus5755]

Absolutely awesome!❤

[@kc0lif]

a great bunch of guys great music.

[@vegasdanielsperegon]

Thank you for uploading this video.

[@orlandonostagiafever1964]

Been looking for this for a while thanks

[@jasonnstegall]

Of all the different Beach Boys/Brian Wilson docs I’ve seen over time, this might be the most balanced (given that the POV is slanted). They even give the Pet Sounds/Smile era its due. P.S. Regardless of one’s opinion on Mike Love, he DID write the lyrics on key Beach Boys songs…including Good Vibrations. And, the others also made contributions when Brian was incapable of producing them, and the majority of these (in my humble opinion) still stand up.

[@keithbradley1197]

How do you know what badly love wrote were you there

[@jasonnstegall]

@keithbradley1197 - Like most other people who (no, I literally was not there in Southern California when Brian Wilson and The Wrecking Crew recorded the backing tracks nor when The Beach Boys recorded their vocals over said tracks) were also not there, I happen to be fairly proficient at reading songwriting credits. And while I know that at times certain people have been given credit for things they did not actually write (this practice goes all the way back to the 1920’s at least, when authorship of the classic jazz piece Muskrat Ramble, credited to Kid Ory was disputed by none other than Louis Armstrong who claimed HE wrote that tune and Ory just named it), I tend to take both Mr. Love’s and (geepers) Mr. Wilson’s word for it as to what they wrote together. (Please STOP trolling me. THANK YOU.)

[@JenniDarlin]

Omg I remember that Vestron Video logo and the music! Took me back to 1985 all over again. 😊

[@fleursbruyantes4177]

Crazy how this documentary that was released in 1985 feels more complete than the one released on Disney+ in 2024.

[@PareidoliaPizza]

I clearly remember renting this on VHS tape in 1989 when I was 17 and becoming absolutely obsessed with their music.

[@lorrainebennett7528]

Great video these guys were just incredible, they captured the spirit of California perfectly! ❤

[@CarmonBenford]

Yeah, i thought the Beach Boys were "Boss"! Even though it was hard to admire anybody else but the Beatles. Thank goodness I had a babysitter who liked both groups and Peter, Paul, and Mary and the Kingston Trio. Thank you, Suzie!

[@steveskouson9620]

I've got an interesting story about Sloop John B. My father was a fairly good guitar player, and folk singer. One evening, he had a show, at some Church concert event. He liked Sloop John B, the Kingston Trio version. I didn't go. I was taking 2 or 3 girl friends (not girlfriends, just female friends of mine) to a concert at the new Sunnyvale auditorium. Papa Do Run Do Run. (Now, Papa Doo Run Run.) They played Sloop John B, but Brian Wilson's version. Dad said he did play Sloop John B that night. That night, was the first time I saw Don Leslie's speaker in action. steve

[@smacreavy]

Fascinating stories, Steve!

[@CarmonBenford]

i like that story, too. in fact, i like Kingston Trio's version as well. Beach Boys version was great because it was in their own style. I remember calling in to Chuck Brinkman on WTAE radio in Pittsburgh asking him to play the Beach Boys version. i was in college and should've been doing my homwork.

[@alexhalvorsen1941]

Carl Wilson was so awesome,

[@alexhalvorsen1941]

I respect Mike Love a lot; just not on the same wavelength

[@smacreavy]

He really, really was.

[@helmutknocke1245]

The Beach Boys one of the best bands in the world!!

[@f.m.r.1437]

Brian seems shy and socially backwards, but a great composer/vocalist. Dennis was the eye candy of the group, even if his drumming skills were not the best. Beach Boys were/are great group. I heard Brian say in an interview that neither he nor Mike wanted Dennis in the group. I'm glad that wasn't what happened.

[@scottydub5785]

I was in a real Beach Boys mood in the summer of 1987 (I was 17 y/o), and obsessively rented/watched this doco on VHS while also reading the Steven Gaines book

[@krazyk57]

1:19:50 Sad to think… This will never ever happen again…..🙏🙏🙏

[@KittyPurrfect100]

Smiley Smile is the illegitimate step-child to SMILE. Both are fantastic but Smiley Smile just sounds like a lot of fun. Helps with anxiety and depression.

[@joelmaqueira4851]

AWESOME! THANKS FOR SHARING!

[@terryashton9213]

Never find a Group that could Harmonize like The Beach Boys.

[@jamesq5831]

the four freshmen lol

[@SherryGabs1]

Best BB documentary I’ve seen yet.

[@allenjones3130]

I miss the days when pop groups LOOKED like pop groups!

[@thatguy1060]

You mean like normal people

[@barbarazuloaga1650]

🙏😇RIP., u had remarkable boys & talented master mind of your an oldest Brian Wilson!!!🙏❤️😍🥰💯👍🏼

[@redsky8763]

Dennis dying young, Carl dying at 51 and Brian having emotional issues opened the door for the non talented cousin Mike Love to take over. But the glue, imo was Al Jardine (the non family member). What was very good could have even been much greater.

[@michaelclark4043]

They were unique in their own special way.

[@lyineyes1975]

Its a little wild how much the young man that portrayed Dennis wilson actually looked like the real Dennis.

[@sallybrown4947]

With all of the Beach boys docs this one is still the best hands down.

[@ventues9751]

I remember buying this tape back in 1986 for $ 29.99 !!!

[@smacreavy]

Wow! 😲

[@shaykatz5648]

I always thought Dennis resembled his cousin Mike Love more than his brothers, Carl & Brian do look like brothers. The Lonely Sea was my favorite song - loved Brian's vocals. I'm 77 now & had their early 5 to 6 albums. One might say I was a huge fan! Saw them twice & alas Brian was no longer touring.

[@Neal_Schier]

I agree with you about The Lonely Sea. It was a beautiful song. I have always wondered why it doesn't get more mentions.

[@dmer-zy3rb]

when Carl was thinner and had no beard he looked alot like Dennis too.

[@joshuamitchell5481]

Great body of music

[@MikeHannon-jp6po]

MISS ..CARL..AN DENNIS...

[@chrisfreeman9960]

So do I. But they're with us always through their music.

[@dougfogarty2461]

Better than the Beatles.

[@tomrudolsen6235]

Far better than The Beatles. 😊❤😎👍

[@rideon77]

Absolutely

[@daviddenisson515]

Yes the Beach Boys had many more number 1 hits than the Beatles, and less people know about the Beatles. I don't think they were real

[@tvstuff5704]

Not even close.

[@ELVENGADOR858]

BEACH BOYS FOREVER

[@1cultural]

The song " Little Honda" by the Haondell's had Roger Christian and Brian Wilson. No other Beach Boys were on the record.

[@michaellazzeri2069]

In '85, I was living in The Bay Area : Mtn. View, in the South Bay. When this film came out, it played in one theater up in The City, so I went to see it. At that time, the group was essentially at their 25th anniversary. Dennis was gone, & Brian had miraculously recovered from naer death at 320 lbs., & a coke habit that was killing him. I was 38 y/o, heading soon to 39. My Brother, 3 years younger, Gay & HIV + , had just over a year to live. --------------MJL, 76 y/o

[@Dracoola.666]

The beach boys were Boss!

[@TheVoom99]

It's got the wrong year for 'Do It Again' (was 1968, not '67), but what a kickin' version of that song.. gritty guitar solo there. Awesome.

[@michaellazzeri2069]

TRue story : it was in the summer of '69-----------yes,----landing on the moon-------3 days of peace & music on Max Yasgur's farm-------and the Manson murders ----------THAT summer ---------I got into a fight---------a for-real fight --------over The Beach Boys. A friend who had been drinking too much, kept telling me " they arn't shit ! " & finally, as we were walking down 6th avenue in Denver, he took a swing at me, & I hit him back right on his nose, breaking it. Blood flew every where, & the 2 of us went at it until 2 other friends broke us up. We both had to go to the ED at Denver General, wait forever, & get patched up. I lost 2 teeth, & he had to have his nose re-set. All, over The Beach Boys, who I defended all the time ! ------------True story. -------------MJL, 76 y/o

[@ACDZ123]

Moon landing you reckon? 🤣

[@impalaman9707]

At 33:55---the producer of this doc couldn't have found a more appropriate piece of music to introduce Pet Sounds than the dramatic instrumental passage of "Here Today", in my opinion. To me, that musical section best represents the seriousness of the project Brian was embarking on in 1966

[@Ilse-qp3mb]

Saw in Florida,then Hawaii, awesome! American gem 12 then 58+

[@charleswojciechowski9459]

Haven’t watched this in so long. Mostly great memories. Is Brian still doing any touring at all?

[@Vinyl_guy]

He retired from touring a few months ago, he was really out of it last tour tho so im glad he can rest

[@smacreavy]

Yes, absolutely - he tours with his band every year!

[@johndoyle2429]

@@smacreavy He does his own solo tours. Mainly in the U.S. I was lucky enough to have seen him in Co. Cork. Ireland. 2014. Maybe I'm wrong here, I thought read somewhere he doesn't get along with Mike love, like I said maybe I'm wrong and it's hard to know if that's true.

[@steveskouson9620]

@@Vinyl_guy, saw him almost a year ago, here in Phoenix. A birthday present to me, and 3 good friends. 7 June 2022. The closing act was as good as Brian's band is. Chicago. My birthday, 4 June. (or, today) A double bucket list concert! steve

[@bassball67]

Thing is, he's not out of it. He may look like it and he may need help, but he enjoys being surrounded by that excellent band playing his music. There has been no official news that Brian won't tour anymore. He enjoys that environment whether it looks that way or not. Brian gave us all a lot of joy, and I hope he does whatever he feels like doing.

[@Epressroom]

Absolutely Great!

[@michaellazzeri2069]

Summer of '76------------47 years ago. OMFG ! --------MJL, 76 y/o

[@1cultural]

"Okie fromMuskogee" was a Merle Haggard country song.

[@notanotherjamesmurphy5574]

Brian has the weirdest playing-style on bass

[@randyking3057]

@1:01:50 What song is this? Is it a Beach Boys' origginally?

[@smacreavy]

Nope, it's a Creedence Clearwater Revival track ('Rock and Roll Woman' I think?) that came out not long before this gig. I think Carl was a major fan!

[@randyking3057]

@@smacreavy Very cool! Thanks!

[@Fool3SufferingFools]

Rock and Roll Woman was a Buffalo Springfield song.

[@cathylindeboo.9598]

I think it's a Stephen Stills - or Buffalo Springfield?

[@jewelterrace]

what is the name of the track at 1 hour ish? great song

[@Joaodinho85]

Time to get alone

[@jewelterrace]

Whoopsie I mean the one after that in the live footage.

[@Joaodinho85]

Ah that's Rock & Roll Woman

[@royiramoats]

@@Joaodinho85 , written by Steven Stills and Neil Young?

[@Joaodinho85]

@@royiramoats Yeah!

[@Pimp-Master]

At the height of Wings McCartney came to see Brian...haha, great.

[@1cultural]

" Rock and Roll Woman" was by Stephen Sills of Buffalo Springfield.

[@WickedPinfish]

Mike Love is a dork!!!!!!!!!

[@BettinaBalser]

I hate Mike Love, but damned if he wasn't right about "Do It Again." Very catchy tune.

[@shane-irish]

Nice 80s feeling

[@denmar355]

Interesting. Most all the video footage is 60’s and early 70’s.

[@RockmeBaby-ne9kw]

Nothing to do with horrible 80's...its early 60's... The horrible 80's were HIV , END OF ELECTRIC GUITARS , ARRIVAL OF USELESS RAP....BEURK !

[@mrsmacca126]

Karen Lamm Wilson was stunningly beautiful.

[@JClaus1221]

Dennis proves in the "I Get Around" clip that it is always dangerous to not have a drummer with their drums.

[@junesmith4159]

Mike Love is so handsome, even at 83. His premature balding made him look older as The Beach Boys started out in their teens and early 20’s. But once he figured out hats detract from that look, his fabulous bone structure shone through, and still does.

[@steveskouson9620]

About 51 minutes in, look over VanDyke Parks' shoulder. A Citroen DS. Not a normal car to see in LA. Jay has one, though. (Jay Leno has about one of everything!) steve

[@susanisaacs2622]

Dennis struggled too!! So sad!

[@a.m.azing3065]

That's cool the blue's brothers are the po po.

[@hellomcflyy]

I saw something about this documentary on the news in....85? - I would have been 7.....maybe it was a little later...maybe when the video came out..I remember writing down Vestron Home Video.......and I kept badgering my mom to get it...and she did..eventually..(probably cost like 30 bucks or something..we weren't poor..but...they were frugal)..I watched it like 20 times...heh

[@bowwow7505]

Mike Love, wtf were you wearing ? Could he have made himself any less attractive? Good thing he could sing. This is one of the best documentaries I’ve seen . Ty

[@MichaelHansenFUN]

1:34:10 wheres you are so beautiful? was he just hoarse or did he damage his voice completley?

[@jasonrusso9808]

I understand and love 1950's & early 60's fashion trends etc but 1967-1970.....? WTF? The odd combos of this that and some other stuff a dash of bizarro......¿? And you got Mike who in the 80s wore his own bands merchandise....lol

[@angeladay7544]

Never knew that Dennis passed away, until watching all about the Beach Boys, this is the trouble with drugs to certain ones, I know cos my 1st husband passed away cos of it,...wen I was with him I never touched the stuff, in as much as, wen I was dating his mate, ionly held it, cos I didn't know, how dope parties worked, so I just passed it on to the next person,...young & dumb, didn't know hardly much about the drug world, back in the day, very shy, back in the day,...of the 70.s,...naive me😮😢.

[@johndoyle2429]

This Documentary of The beachboys was made in 1985. I'm enjoying it. But not good as the 1998 Documentary of the beachboys called Endless harmony.

[@andybaldman]

That one is better. Just watched it before this. There’s another one that is better than both. Mostly about Brian. Long Promised Road. The whole film isn’t on KZbin, just pieces. But I found the full film via google on another site. Worth watching.