Beach Boys bring good vibrations to Tahoe’s shore

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. – The mountains, majestic pines and natural beauty of Lake Tahoe was the backdrop Sunday as the Beach Boys brought their distinct California-culture sound of surf-sand-sun, cars and romance to the Harvey’s Outdoor Arena as part of the group’s 50th Anniversary Reunion Tour.

The filled-to-capacity summer venue swayed and bobbed to a total of 48 songs, broken into two sets, that was easy on the ears and gave fan’s their money’s worth — allowing most to ride the waves of the classic sound many associate with long and endless summer days of a time since past.

Sunday’s appearance by the 1988 Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne had tie-dye apparel on hold; replaced by the Hawaiian shirts favored among the mostly older crowd.

The Reunion Tour had the band’s creative force, Brian Wilson, back in the fold as well as original members Mike Love, Al Jardine and very early members David Marks and Bruce Johnston, backed by a nine-piece band.

Two Wilson brothers from the very beginning, the late Dennis and Carl Wilson, participated in video tributes: Dennis sang “Forever” while Carl took the lead on “God Only Knows” from 1966s ‘Pet Sounds’ album.

The first set, featuring “Surfer Girl,” “Be True To Your School” and “Don’t Worry Baby,” reaffirmed that the Beach Boys are second to none in layered vocal harmonic ability — and a tease of what was ahead. The set closed with the band’s nod to hot rod racing: “Little Deuce Coupe,” “409,” Shut Down” and “I Get Around.”

If a blemish could be found it was the on-stage promotion of the group’s merchandise, unnecessary to say the least.

The second set was loaded with the hits.

Brian Wilson had everyone’s attention singing “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times.” Content while seated at his baby grand, Wilson’s role in developing the Beach Boy’s signature sound was not lost on the crowd as was Marks’ surf-guitar licks. Brian took it up a notch, both vocally and physically while singing “Sail On, Sailor.”

The new single “That’s Why God Made The Radio” was well received and what can you say about the show’s later stages that contained such classics as: “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Sloop John B,” “In My Room,” “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Rock and Roll Music,” “Barbara Ann,” “Surfin’ USA,” and the encores “Kokomo” and “Fun, Fun, Fun?”

You could say it was good vibrations for all.

First set: “Do it Again”, “Little Honda,” “Catch A Wave,” “Hawaii,” “Don’t Back Down,” “Surfin Safari,” “Surfer Girl,” “Gethcha Back,” “Marcella,” “Wendy,” “Then I Kissed Her,” “Please Let Me Wonder,” “Come Go With Me,” “Why Do Folls Fall In Love,” “When I Grow Up” (To Be A Man), “Kiss Me Baby,” “Isn’t It Time,” “Disney Girls,” “Good Timin,’” “It’s OK,” “California Saga,” “Be True To Your School,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” “409,” “Shut Down” and “I Get Around.”

Second set: “Pet Sounds,” “Add Some Music To Your Day,” “Heroes and Villains,” “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times,” “Sloop John B,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “All This Is That,” “That’s Why God Made The Radio,” “Sail On,” “Sailor,” “In my Room,” “Forever,” “God Only Knows,” “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls,” “All Summer Long,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Rock And Roll Music,” “Barbara Ann” and “Surfin’ USA”

Encore: “Kokomo” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.” 

Jerry Heinzer

Jerry Heinzer is going on 12 years as an employee of the Mountain Democrat and is currently the Sports Editor. Contact Jerry at 530-344-5074 or jheinzer@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @ JHeinzerMtDemo on Twitter.

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