Because of my job, every day I'm driving all over Southern California. I'm lucky, I guess, or at least not easily bored, because it seems to me there's cool stuff to see in every town I visit. Case in point, a sunny neighborhood called Hawthorne.

Here in the shadow of the 105 freeway stands California Historical Landmark # 1041. I learned of it a few months ago when I read a Brian Wilson bio called Catch A Wave. It renewed my interest in the group, and in Brian Wilson in particular. After finishing the book, I spun my old records with new insight. I searched Netflix for any Beach Boys DVDs and put a couple at the top of the list. The unveiling of CHLM # 1041 is captured for posterity on The Beach Boys - An American Band. Check it out.




A warm sunny day, light winds, cruising south passed the Forum. I couldn't help recalling all the great bands I'd seen there over the years. So many great memories. The surrounding area, once a little seedy and rundown, now seems like every other town: a new Starbucks is going up while old retail stores and houses are coming down. The Wilson's neighborhood borders the Municipal Airport, and seeing the runway just ahead, I turned into it. I headed north on Kornblum to 119th, turned left, and their it was.























Looking closer at the tiles, I noticed messages of love and support from family, friends and fans from around the world.
























Nice details: I especially like the Gold Records.






The sixth Beach Boy is childhood friend David Marks.

























Gone but not forgotten. When the 105 freeway went up, the childhood home of the Beach Boys came down. The sting of progress is tempered somewhat by this reverent landmark.







Some of Sammy's favorites

















These 2 mid-70s compilations were my first exposure to the early music of the Beach Boys.





















It was Surfs Up and Holland, especially Holland, that first made me a fan of the band. I still regard Sail On Sailor as one of my all-time favorite songs.




























It was much later that I became a fan of Pet Sound and Smiley Smile. They represent both the pinnacle and decline of Brian Wilson as the driving force behind the group: the Boys disliked both projects bitterly, and their non-support sent Brian into a tailspin that would continue for many years. To me, they just get better with every listen.









Great iconic cover art for the second album and pretty much the last time the Beach Boys can be heard playing together as a group. Brian replaced the other members with studio musicians when he stopped touring with the band in 1964.








Wonderful 70s live album before the Boys became a novelty act. Spent many hours listening to this while playing Risk with my friends after school. Really great live record.






















Brian began releasing solo records in the 80s. I still enjoy listening to this one from 1988.





SMiLE was finally completed in 2004 with Brian's current touring band. They provide the conviction the Boys couldn't muster in 67, and it's definitely worth the wait.