Dedicated on May 20, 2005, the Beach Boys Monument in Hawthorne California is located at the birthplace of the Wilson brothers as well as the legendary band, the Beach Boys.
The site, located at 3701 W. 119th Street in Hawthorne, CA is located where the Wilson’s house actually stood but was demolished in the mid-80’s as the 105 Freeway was being constructed.
The plaque at the site reads:
It was here in the home of parents Murray and Audree that Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson grew to manhood and developed their musical skills. During Labor Day weekend 1961, they, with cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, gathered here to record a tape of their breakthrough song “Surfin'”. This marked the birth of the rock group known worldwide as the Beach Boys, and the beginning of an historic musical legacy that would change the recording industry. The music of the Wilsons, Love, Jardine and friends David Marks broadcast to the world an image of California as a place of sun, surf and romance. Brian Wilson would become a legendary producer, arranger and songwriter.
The site also features a wall carving of the “Boys” from the cover of the Surfin’ album, replicating the iconic surfboard picture.
Along with the plaque and wall carving, each member also has a personalized record shaped plaque with their name.
Aside from creating one of the most influential rock bands of all times at this location, he are a couple other interesting facts about the Beach Boys:
- The Beach Boys were formed in 1951
- Before The Beach Boys They Called Themselves The Pendletones
- Only Dennis Could Actually Surf
- There Are Over 50 Peak Era tracks sitting in a vault, still unreleased
- Brian Wilson Is Deaf in One Ear
- The Beach Boys were sued by Chuck Barry for using Sweet Little Sixteen’s music on Surfin’ USA and was granted publishing rights for the song
- The Beatles’ Rubber Soul was a major inspiration for Pet Sounds which became an inspiration for the Beatle’s Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band
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