Why we still love The Beach Boys

On the road - But by 1964, surf songs had all but sunk. The band bid farewell to their surf aesthetic with 'I Get Around,' a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic. But musical competition by way of The Beatles and the so-called "British Invasion" prompted Brian Wilson to change musical direction and try and compete with the Fab Four's increasingly complex songwriting abilities. Meanwhile, The Beach Boys hit the road touring.

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Touring the world - In this image, The Beach Boys met members of the press the day after a concert at London's Finsbury Astoria. By now, Brian Wilson had quit live appearances with the band to concentrate solely on songwriting and record production. Session musician Glen Campbell (who would go on to enjoy a successful solo career) served as Brian's temporary replacement in concert.

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New lineup - Bruce Johnston later replaced Campbell and eventually became a full-time member of the band in 1965.

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'Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)' - The group's ninth studio album 'Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)' spawned the hit singles 'Help Me, Rhonda' and 'California Girls.' This album marked the last time Brian Wilson would work with simple preppy beachgoing and romantic themes.

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'Pet Sounds' - Released in 1966, 'Pet Sounds' considerably raised the band's prestige as an innovative rock group. Hailed by critics at the time as "the most progressive pop album ever," it included the evergreen classics 'God Only Knows,' 'Wouldn't It Be Nice' and 'Caroline, No.'

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Artistic response - 'Pet Sounds' was conceived by Brian Wilson as a direct artistic response to The Beatles' album 'Revolver.' But Wilson's single-handed production excluded other members of the band, much to their displeasure. Mike Love was especially dismissive about the result.

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The Beach Boys vs. The Beatles - The Beatles in turn responded to 'Pet Sounds' with 'Sergeant Pepper.' In 1968, Mike Love (third left) joined the Fab Four and other '60s musicians in India.

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'Good Vibrations' - Released on the back of 'Pet Sounds,' the single 'Good Vibrations' is widely regarded as one of the finest and most important works of the rock era.

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'Smile' -

The Beach Boys' next album project 'Smile' ended up being shelved for 40-odd years, but not before a track from the sessions, 'Heroes and Villains,' was released.

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Waning popularity - By the late 1960s, The Beach Boys were at their lowest ebb. Deemed culturally insignificant and struggling with a worsening public image, their woes were amplified when Brian Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown.

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Reprise - Throughout the early 1970s, the band toured domestically and enjoyed renewed success with 'Sunflower,' their 16th studio album, which was released on the aptly-named Reprise Records label.

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Concert success - More studio albums followed, including 'The Beach Boys in Concert,' a gold double album documenting the band's 1972 and 1973 US tours. Meanwhile, Brian Wilson remained in seclusion.

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Dennis Wilson (1944-1983) -

On December 28, 1983, drummer Dennis Wilson drowned at Marina Del Rey after diving into the water intoxicated. He was 39-years-old.

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'Kokomo' - Released in 1988 to coincide with the soundtrack for the Tom Cruise-starring film 'Cocktail,' this was The Beach Boys' first US number one single in 22 years. It eventually went on to become the band's biggest hit ever.

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Carl Wilson (1946-1998) - The group's de facto leader in the early 1970s, Carl Wilson succumbed to lung cancer on February 6, 1998. He was 51.

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Great rivals and friends - Paul McCartney holds up the arm of Brian Wilson after the former Beatle inducted Wilson into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the annual induction dinner in New York City, this in 2000.

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In their golden years - In Los Angeles in 2006, Bruce Johnston, Al Jardine, Mike Love, and Brian Wilson appeared together for the first time in 10 years, this on the rooftop of Capitol Records to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of 'Pet Sounds' and the single 'Good Vibrations.'

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Their 50th anniversary tour -

In 2012, Wilson, Love, Jardine, Johnston, and David Marks reunited for a new album and 50th anniversary tour.

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On the road - The Beach Boys performing in 2015 at the Guild Hall in East Hampton, New York City.

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A perpetual sound of summer -

California's own: The Beach Boys as their legions of fans remember them.

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NL Beeld

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The Beach Boys - The Beach Boys are one of the best-selling bands ever, having sold in excess of 100 million records worldwide.

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In the beginning - The band's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson; their cousin Mike Love; and their friend Al Jardine.

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Early sound - Influenced by the music of jazz-based vocal groups, 1950s-era rock and roll, and black rhythm and blues, the group created a unique sound based on flawless vocal harmonies.

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Youth culture - With pitch-perfect voices, The Beach Boys reflected a burgeoning Southern California youth culture of surfing, cars, and romance.

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The "California Sound" - The music press quickly dubbed this sunny, carefree vibe the "California Sound," with The Beach Boys as its youthful mouthpiece.

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Surfing songs -

The group released their debut album 'Surfin' Safari' in 1962. Guitarist and backing vocalist David Marks performed on this album, and the band's next three album releases.

Getty Images

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'Surfin' U.S.A' - Their first top 10 single 'Surfin' U.S.A.' effectively launched the band and heralded a long run of highly successful recordings.

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Songs about automobiles - The band's 1963 album 'Surfer Girl' was their third. It includes a track called 'Little Deuce Coupe,' which refers to a 1932 Ford Model 18.

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Cars and Christmas - Changing gear, the group's 1963 Christmas single 'Little Saint Nick' is a holiday-themed hot rod song about Santa Claus and his sleigh.

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New lineup - Bruce Johnston later replaced Campbell and eventually became a full-time member of the band in 1965.

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The Beach Boys vs. The Beatles - The Beatles in turn responded to 'Pet Sounds' with 'Sergeant Pepper.' In 1968, Mike Love (third left) joined the Fab Four and other '60s musicians in India.

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'Good Vibrations' - Released on the back of 'Pet Sounds,' the single 'Good Vibrations' is widely regarded as one of the finest and most important works of the rock era.

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'Smile' -

The Beach Boys' next album project 'Smile' ended up being shelved for 40-odd years, but not before a track from the sessions, 'Heroes and Villains,' was released.

Getty Images

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Reprise - Throughout the early 1970s, the band toured domestically and enjoyed renewed success with 'Sunflower,' their 16th studio album, which was released on the aptly-named Reprise Records label.

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Concert success - More studio albums followed, including 'The Beach Boys in Concert,' a gold double album documenting the band's 1972 and 1973 US tours. Meanwhile, Brian Wilson remained in seclusion.

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Dennis Wilson (1944-1983) -

On December 28, 1983, drummer Dennis Wilson drowned at Marina Del Rey after diving into the water intoxicated. He was 39-years-old.

Getty Images

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Carl Wilson (1946-1998) - The group's de facto leader in the early 1970s, Carl Wilson succumbed to lung cancer on February 6, 1998. He was 51.

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Their 50th anniversary tour -

In 2012, Wilson, Love, Jardine, Johnston, and David Marks reunited for a new album and 50th anniversary tour.