The Beach Boys are an American pop group from Hawthorne, California, founded in 1961 by brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. Celebrated for their sun-drenched surf rock and intricate vocal harmonies, they reached an artistic peak with Pet Sounds (1966), widely regarded as one of the greatest albums ever made. With over 100 million records sold and 36 US top-40 hits, they rank among the most influential bands in pop history, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Pet Sounds celebrates its 60th anniversary: the album was released on May 16, 1966 and is remembered as one of the most influential records in pop history.
Bruce Johnston left the touring lineup of The Beach Boys in March 2026 after 61 years to focus on songwriting and occasional performances.
Frontman Mike Love celebrated his 85th birthday on March 15, 2026; he is the only still actively touring original band member.
Co-founder and songwriter Brian Wilson died on June 11, 2025 at the age of 82; he suffered from a neurodegenerative disorder.
The documentary The Beach Boys was released in 2024 on Disney+ and offers a comprehensive portrait of the band's history.
