Back to the Beach

Book excerpt: A Newly Expanded edition of the hugely acclaimed Beach Boys compendium, which collects all of the best articles, interviews and reviews from their five decades of music, along with a number of inspiring pieces specially commissioned for this volume. Since the book's first edition, the Beach Boys' world has endured the tragedy of Carl Wilson's premature death and the triumph of a re-energised Brian Wilson performing 'Pet Sounds' live in its entirety with a thrilling young band. Brian also appeared to much acclaim at the Queen's Golden Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace. In line with these events, the new edition is expanded to include a revealing Carl Wilson interview by Geoffrey Himes, a tribute to one of the most underrated members of the band, as well as a new interview with 'Pet Sounds' lyricist Tony Asher and an essay on the resurgence of Brian Wilson by editor Kingsley Abbott. Book jacket.