Hey music lover! If you‘re like me, you absolutely adore the legendary sounds of The Beach Boys. Their catchy surf rock hits bring back fond memories of summer. Who doesn‘t love classics like “Surfin‘ USA,” “Good Vibrations” and “Kokomo”?
In this guide just for you, I‘ll take a deep dive into who currently makes up The Beach Boys and how their lineup has evolved over the decades.
Brief History: How The Beach Boys Formed
Let‘s start with a quick history lesson. The Beach Boys formed waaay back in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The original members included the three Wilson brothers – Brian, Dennis, and Carl – along with their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. During their peak in the 1960s, they became icons of the California Sound with their feel-good harmonies and lyrics about surfing, cars and romance.
According to Billboard, The Beach Boys have had over 80 songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100, the most of any American band. Their album ‘Pet Sounds‘ is often ranked among the best albums of all time. Though lineup changes have occurred, The Beach Boys‘ timeless music continues to inspire new generations of fans.
Surviving Original Members Still Kickin‘
Part of what makes The Beach Boys so special is they have several original members still alive and rockin‘ today! Here‘s a rundown of the OG Beach Boys you can still catch at shows:
Mike Love – Lead Vocalist
As mentioned, Mike Love was one of the founding members and has been with The Beach Boys for their entire run. He sang lead vocals on many big hits like “California Girls”, “I Get Around”, and “Fun, Fun, Fun.” At 79 years young, Mike is the oldest living original member and still tours with The Beach Boys frequently. His signature gravelly vocals are one-of-a-kind!
Fun Fact: Mike Love is the cousin of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson. His family ties helped form the original Beach Boys.
Al Jardine – Rhythm Guitarist
Al Jardine rounds out the surviving original Beach Boys members. He was part of the initial lineup playing rhythm guitar and singing backup harmonies. After departing briefly in 1962, he returned for good the next year. Jardine stuck with the band until 1998. Now 77, he appears at select shows when the gang reunites.
Fun Fact: Jardine recommended Brian Wilson change the band‘s name from The Pendletones to The Beach Boys. Good call Al!
While Brian Wilson and Carl Wilson were original members, they sadly passed away in 1983 and 1998 respectively. However, Brian did appear at a few reunion shows prior to his death.
Non-Original Members Who‘ve Kept the Music Alive
Though some original members are gone, The Beach Boys‘ music lives on through long-standing members who joined later. These talented musicians allow new generations of fans to still enjoy their classic sound live:
Bruce Johnston – Vocalist, Keyboardist
Bruce Johnston joined The Beach Boys in 1965, replacing Glen Campbell on vocals and keyboards. He added the soulful lead vocal on hit “I Write the Songs” along with writing other tracks like “Disney Girls.” At 80 years old, Johnston is the longest standing non-original member, still touring with Mike Love‘s incarnation of The Beach Boys.
Christian Love – Vocalist, Guitarist
Christian Love is Mike Love‘s oldest son. He became a full member of the touring band in 2018 at the age of 51, injecting some new energy into the lineup with his guitar skills and smooth vocals.
Scott Totten – Vocalist, Guitarist
Scott Totten has an impressive musical resume as a session musician and producer. He hopped on board The Beach Boys‘ touring band back in 1987 contributing his talents on guitar and vocals. Totten later became Mike Love‘s musical director for touring.
Randy Leago – Drummer
After original drummer Dennis Wilson‘s tragic death in 1983, Randy Leago took over drum duties for the band while touring. Going on 40 years later, Leago is still holding down the beat with his dynamic rhythms.
Jeffrey Foskett – Vocalist, Guitarist
Jeffrey Foskett first joined Mike Love‘s touring band in 1981 as a vocalist and guitarist. His incredible range allows him to perform the signature Beach Boys harmonies fans know and love. After some hiatuses, he rejoined again in 2017 and remains a key part of the current lineup.
By the Numbers: Stats on The Beach Boys‘ Success
The stats behind The Beach Boys‘ iconic catalog showcase how hugely influential and successful they were:
- Over 100 Million Records Sold – According to various reports, The Beach Boys have sold roughly 100 million records worldwide over their career.
- Over 80 Billboard Hot 100 Hits – Per Billboard, the band charted over 80 songs on the prestigious Hot 100 chart – more than any American band.
- Four Songs in Top 10 of 1966 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 – At the height of their popularity, The Beach Boys had four tracks place in the Top Ten of 1966‘s year-end chart: “Good Vibrations” (#3), “Barbara Ann” (#5), “Sloop John B” (#7), and “Wouldn‘t It Be Nice” (#10).
- 18 Top 10 Albums – Between 1962 and 1966, The Beach Boys placed a whopping 18 albums in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart.
- 500+ Concerts Performed – As per setlist.fm, The Beach Boys have performed a staggering 5,432 shows over six decades of touring. They still average about 75 concerts per year.
Catch Them on Tour for All the Hits
Thanks to a mix of original and long-tenured members, music fans can still experience The Beach Boys‘ perfect harmonies live in concert. Mike Love and Bruce Johnston tour regularly with their supremely talented backing band keeping the legacy alive through classics like “Help Me Rhonda,” “Barbara Ann,” “Surfer Girl,” and so many more.
So there you have it, buddy! The Beach Boys may look a bit different than they did in their 1960s heyday, but their iconic sound carries on. Let me know if you have the chance to see one of their shows. Until then, I‘ll be listening to my vinyl copy of ‘Pet Sounds‘ dreaming of California sunshine and waves.
