The Beach Boys will be making waves again in a new documentary titled, The Beach Boys. Written by Mark Monroe and directed by Frank Marshall and Thom Zimny, the documentary streams on Disney+ on May 24, reminding fans of southern California’s glory days of sun, surf, cars, and music.
Marshall recently told Good Morning America, “I grew up with the Beach Boys, whose songs and fantastic harmonies created the California dream. Their albums had a huge impact on the music world, and I’ve always been fascinated about how all that came about.”
According to a synopsis: The Beach Boys is a celebration of the legendary band that revolutionized pop music, and the iconic, harmonious sound they created that personified the California dream, captivating fans for generations and generations to come.”
The documentary “traces the band from humble family beginnings and features never-before-seen footage and all-new interviews” with current members Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston, as well as former member David Marks.
Songs from the soundtrack for The Beach Boys will also be available to stream and download on May 24. The band’s 1964 album Shut Down, Vol. 2 was released on limited edition blue and white marble vinyl on March 29.
The documentary includes never-before-seen footage along with interviews with surviving bandmates Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, David Marks, plus Blondie Chaplin who was part of the band during the 70s.
Other interviews include music industry fans Don Was, Ryan Tedder, Janelle Monae, and Lindsey Buckingham. The Beach Boys also features archival audio of Dennis and Carl Wilson who died in 1983 and 1998, respectively, and audio of Ricky Fataar, another band member during the 70s.
The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million records worldwide and 36 of their songs have charted the U.S. Top 40 (the most by an American rock band). They are the recipients of The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Grammy and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Founded in Hawthorne, California in 1961, the iconic band has been a part of the American music fabric for over six decades and continues to receive high honors and accolades. A Grammy Salute to the Beach Boys was recorded at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, and subsequently aired as a 2-hour special on CBS on April 9. The Beach Boys, an autobiography by the Beach Boys was released on April 2.
Despite the celebration of a new book and documentary, it all comes on the heels of news that Brian Wilson, 81, is suffering from dementia. Wilson lost his wife of three decades, Melinda, in January 2024. In 2014, the couple received a biopic treatment with Love & Mercy, starring John Cusack and Elizabeth Banks as Brian and Melinda Wilson. The drama earned Paul Dano, who played young Brian Wilson, a Golden Globe nomination and it scored one for Best Original Song.
The Beach Boys documentary will be available for streaming on Disney+ beginning May 24.
-Sharon Oliver
Photo: Getty Images
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