The Lost Beach Boy: The True Story of David Marks one of the founding members of the Beach Boys

by Jon Stebbins, David Marks

His name may not be familiar, but David Marks was one of the original founding members of the Beach Boys. His signature joined those of Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson and their cousin Mike Love at Capitol Records in 1962. He grew up with the Wilson family, moving into a house across the street from them, and started playing music with them soon after. His signature sound is on "Surfin' U.S.A.," "Shut Down," "Hawaii," and many more. He played and sang on the Beach Boys' first string of national sold-out tours and television appearances. Then one day he vanished from the public eye. Over time, David's name disappeared from the history books and the Beach Boys' story was rewritten, without David's name. For many years, the public and critics were unaware of the important role David Marks played in the formation of the Beach Boys. For the first time, the truth is behind one of the most influential bands ever is revealed here. As a lifelong friend of each member of the band, David Marks is uniquely placed to bring this extraordinary story to life. This is the compelling true story of one of the greatest bands of all time.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jeffrey Falk · Rating 3 out of 5]

If a three-and-a-half star review were possible, I'd use that. The story told by this book manages to be "stranger than fiction" while still fundamentally chronicling an important individual's rise, fall, and redemption. It is an insider account with clarification and important context setting and is required reading for fans. Appearances by everyone from Warren Zevon to Joe Cocker to Little Richard, as well as accounts of some of the darker, more unjust corners of a shady music business, may ensure it is required reading for some others, as well. A sometimes trite writing style and lapses in objectivity (including no skepticism of the allegedly psychic abilities of the subject's mother) are among its flaws. Some alleged facts and memories may be inaccurate (including a questionable 1971 concert appearance at the Whisky a Go Go). The British publisher's use of British spellings ("mum", "tyre", etc.) in a book written by Americans that takes place almost entirely outside of the British Isles is also curious. This book is ten years old and is not up to date (e.g., Marks's brief re-return to The Beach Boys for their fiftieth anniversary occurred after publication).

[Randee · Rating 3 out of 5]

And all that could have been. The author has put the best face on failure as I have ever seen. I don't mean to sound harsh but David Marks career as a Beach Boy could not be described in any other way. He did not fight for himself against the injustice that was Murray Wilson (the Wilson brother's father) or even demand that the brothers acknowledge him financially, etc. But, then again, why should they? He quit the band at 15 and it is amazing on how no one seemed to have a lick of sense and intercede as he was being his own worst enemy.
I would advise that you be a huge fan of the Beach Boys or David Marks if you read this book. My once upon a time roommate was good friends with both David Marks and Terry Hand and I was introduced to both and partied a little with them when I was in L.A. David seemed like a reserved, humble and nice person and it pained me reading this in more ways than one. I wish David had been more aggressive in his own career and future, but it is what it is. When you are the only non family member in a family 'operation', chances are you will have to pit yourself against said family and that is between a rock and a hard place.

[Laurel Zito]

Here is a book I want to read but never will because its out of print, not on Kindle, and too expensive. I am curious about Dennis in particular his death, but I am not spending 55 dollars on a used and likely jacked up paperback.

[Court · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read by any means, and it’s great to get some detailed discussion of David’s post-Beach Boys projects, but Stebbins’ penchant for hyperbole (also present on his Dennis Wilson book) and stretched metaphors undermines the human tragedy of his subject matter. Every forgotten B-side, studio outtake, or barely-released hot rod/surf single is a “forgotten masterpiece,” unabashedly compared with the works of Brian Wilson, the Beatles, and (most bizarrely) Frank Zappa. I admire Stebbins’ passion but it can be tedious just reading his overinflated praise for single guitar riffs on a middling surf instrumental over and over again. As talented as David is as a guitarist, there’s a reason why the Marksmen and the Moon never really got off the ground in the competitive atmosphere of the 1960s surf and psych rock scenes.

[GurkanGurkansson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Herregud vilken resa !

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was well written, but the subject lost my respect. Not unlike the Dennis Hopper biography I recently read, I found myself following the exploits of someone that was an "artist" and "kind" and "sensitive", but at any given time was disgustingly drunk and endangering lives in 100 mph car crashes.

Lots of good music gossip for a vintage Rock & Roll fan.

[Mark Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic biography. David's commentary is honest and forthright, and Stebbins's narrative is highly informative. Great insight on the formative years of the Beach Boys, and David's continued relationship with the band's various members over the years. His career has been diverse, with Dave & the Marksmen, the Band Without A Name, The Moon, and others.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, just wish I'd have read it before I saw The Beach Boys this year. I never really took David Marks that seriously as a member of the group before I read it but now I know how important he was.

[Sylvia Seymour]

The author does not know how to punctuate. Other than that, not half bad!