The world is celebrating the music of Brian Wilson after hearing the news that he passed away Wednesday at the age of 82. For today’s Forgotten 45 at 3:45 we go back to 1981 for the Beach Boys Medley.
Formed in 1961, the Beach Boys had 37 top 40 hits, the most of any American group. Like the Beatles, the group’s music really evolved in the 60’s from a “wholesome American slice of pop culture” to the more sophisticated “Pet Sounds” in 1966, considered now as one of the greatest and most influential albums of all-time.
Most of their hits were in the 60’s but they hit #5 in 1976 with “Rock and Roll Music”, and #1 in 1988 with “Kokomo” from the movie “Cocktail”. The Beach Boys Medley was their first top 40 hit of the 80’s, reaching #11 on the charts.
I found an old clip from American Bandstand of the Beach Boys performing their medley. It’s today’s Forgotten 45.
