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All Summer Long: Conversations with The Beach Boys from Surfin' to SMiLE
Not yet published
Expected 11 Jun 26This unforgettable and in-depth exploration of The Beach Boys’ incredible output during their early to peak years, from 1961 to 1967, interweaves recollections by group members, family, friends, and musical colleagues.
David Beard compiles a wide range of fascinating and eye-opening conversations and original interviews with the group and integral figures in the band’s history, including Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks, Bruce Johnston, Jan Berry, Dean Torrence, Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, Ginger Blake, and many others. All Summer Long is based on over 30 years of archival interview content and provides a wealth of fresh insights into the personalities, circumstances, and decisions that shaped the music created by one of the most enduring acts in popular music history.
This book covers the early transformative years of 1962 –1963 when Brian Wilson was working at breakneck speed, as well as the influences of Jan & Dean. It looks at Brian and The Beach Boys’ incredible leap forward in music, the changing arc of Brian’s creativity in 1965, the triumph that was Pet Sounds, the synergistic shift with “Good Vibrations” in 1966, and the outcome of the SMiLE recordings. The subjects themselves take center stage in this book, sharing their recollections which allow their emotions to be fully conveyed. Love, laughter, sorrow, and joy are captured along with the history of the groundbreaking and chart-topping recordings. Grab a board and get ready for the ride of your life.
David Beard compiles a wide range of fascinating and eye-opening conversations and original interviews with the group and integral figures in the band’s history, including Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks, Bruce Johnston, Jan Berry, Dean Torrence, Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford, Ginger Blake, and many others. All Summer Long is based on over 30 years of archival interview content and provides a wealth of fresh insights into the personalities, circumstances, and decisions that shaped the music created by one of the most enduring acts in popular music history.
This book covers the early transformative years of 1962 –1963 when Brian Wilson was working at breakneck speed, as well as the influences of Jan & Dean. It looks at Brian and The Beach Boys’ incredible leap forward in music, the changing arc of Brian’s creativity in 1965, the triumph that was Pet Sounds, the synergistic shift with “Good Vibrations” in 1966, and the outcome of the SMiLE recordings. The subjects themselves take center stage in this book, sharing their recollections which allow their emotions to be fully conveyed. Love, laughter, sorrow, and joy are captured along with the history of the groundbreaking and chart-topping recordings. Grab a board and get ready for the ride of your life.
256 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review
I have been a Beach Boys fan for a very long time; read many of the books, seen many documentaries in addition to listening to all their music, so I was very excited to hear about and read this book.
I liked the premise that this is a book focusing on interviews with surviving members and people involved with them at the time. It was also interesting the time period selected, essentially “the capital years” and I think that added to more depth since the author was not trying to capture 60+ years of America’s Band.
You can tell from the questions and feel of the book the author is a fan as well, and really did get into some good depth about their early years and some select pieces of their constant hits of the early ‘60s. It was also good how the author presented what the interviewees said and not adding a “this is what I think what they said means” aspect. The intended audience is more the big fans of the group vs those looking to learn the “mile wide foot deep” history and I truly enjoyed learning more on some of the behind the scenes pieces.
All of that said, just like the initial release of Pet Sounds fell flat, there were a couple parts here that hit the same way. For one thing, while I knew that Jan & Dean and the Beach Boys were intertwined at times, it felt that too much of this book was dedicated to the history of Jan & Dean that really didn’t fit with the premise of the book being a history of the Beach Boys. These pieces while interesting, eventually felt forced towards the end. The other piece that fell flat was chapter endings and ending of the book. At the beginning of the chapter, there was a brief summary of what the chapter was going to focus on, the chapters, and book just ended. You can argue that the chapter introductions serve as th transitions, and I agree they do, stylistically I thought could have made transitions a little tighter, and it could have used something for an ending after the last SMiLE interviews.
I have been a Beach Boys fan for a very long time; read many of the books, seen many documentaries in addition to listening to all their music, so I was very excited to hear about and read this book.
I liked the premise that this is a book focusing on interviews with surviving members and people involved with them at the time. It was also interesting the time period selected, essentially “the capital years” and I think that added to more depth since the author was not trying to capture 60+ years of America’s Band.
You can tell from the questions and feel of the book the author is a fan as well, and really did get into some good depth about their early years and some select pieces of their constant hits of the early ‘60s. It was also good how the author presented what the interviewees said and not adding a “this is what I think what they said means” aspect. The intended audience is more the big fans of the group vs those looking to learn the “mile wide foot deep” history and I truly enjoyed learning more on some of the behind the scenes pieces.
All of that said, just like the initial release of Pet Sounds fell flat, there were a couple parts here that hit the same way. For one thing, while I knew that Jan & Dean and the Beach Boys were intertwined at times, it felt that too much of this book was dedicated to the history of Jan & Dean that really didn’t fit with the premise of the book being a history of the Beach Boys. These pieces while interesting, eventually felt forced towards the end. The other piece that fell flat was chapter endings and ending of the book. At the beginning of the chapter, there was a brief summary of what the chapter was going to focus on, the chapters, and book just ended. You can argue that the chapter introductions serve as th transitions, and I agree they do, stylistically I thought could have made transitions a little tighter, and it could have used something for an ending after the last SMiLE interviews.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This oral history was compiled from dozens of interviews conducted by the author with every member of the Beach Boys (save Dennis and Carl Wilson, RIP) as well as associates and other musical collaborators. Many of the stories have been told before, but here they are juxtaposed well to provide alternate and complementary viewpoints. There is a lot of detail -- perhaps too much -- about Jan & Dean and other performers, but the band's candor is welcome. Even Mike Love is generous with his praise, and not just for himself. (preview copy provided by NetGalley)
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews