The documentary “The Beach Boys” which follows the successful North American band in the 60s from humble family origins to immense stardom, arrives in Disney+ catalog this Friday (24). In conversation with the CNN, the director Frank Marshall spoke more about what was covered in the production, such as the group's influence on the history of music and their “rivalry” with the Beatles.
Formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961, the band The Beach Boys is considered one of the most influential in the history of rock. He has scored dozens of songs on the charts, such as the classics “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “Sloop John B”, and “God Only Knows” and had record-selling albums.
It was initially formed by members of the same family, the brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson and your cousin Mike Love as well as a close friend, Al Jardine . Later, he received Bruce Johnston, Rick Fataar, David Marks and Blondie Chaplin.
Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston are in the documentary. Carl and Dennis Wilson died in 1998 and 1983 respectively.
“The hardest part of it all was definitely not having Carl and Dennis to talk to us. And in some ways Brian is also, he’s not much more verbal”, highlighted Frank Marshall. “I wish I had talked to them like I talked to the others, they all had ups and downs that are worth showing,” he added.
In February this year, Brian Wilson was diagnosed with dementia. The news was shared on the musician's social media, a month after the death of his wife, Melinda Ledbetter.
Despite not having living members to “add” information, the documentary sought to bring speeches from deceased members in archived interviews recorded throughout the band's history.
“People aged 8 to 80 like Beach Boys”
“The Beach Boys' music has had a lot of impact on the world, plus it's been 60 years and they're still around. Why does this happen? I wanted to explore what made this happen. Their music is a celebration of life, but it is very complex, people aged 8 to 80 like it, I really wanted to investigate what it was all about”, said Frank Marshall about the importance of the documentary.
Frank is known for other biographical productions about members of the music industry, such as the Bee Gees (“The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”), Johnny Cash (“The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash”) and the series by Paul McCartney (“McCartney 3,2,1”). The production about the Californian group, however, has its particularities.
“They were a band lived among family and close friends, who grew up together and it was very successful for them all to be able to collaborate in some way. They had this natural harmony”, said Marshall.
“The fact that we also had Brian Wilson, who is a true musical genius, guiding them is another thing, but it's actually a unique situation where you have this leader, but the other members are essential to making it all work. Without all of them together, the band wouldn’t happen the way it did,” he added.
Beach Boys as inspiration for music
In addition to the members of the Beach Boys — Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston —, other names from the music industry are in the work, including Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham, Janelle Monáe, Ryan Tedder and Don Was.
“I enjoyed choosing and placing artists who are inspired by the Beach Boys to make their music today. The group created this “California dream” that is still followed by some. Janelle Monáe was inspired by harmony and lyrics. Ryan Tedder too, he grew up listening to the Beach Boys. Lindsey is like a genius recognizing another,” said the director.
Beach Boys x The Beatles
At a certain point, the documentary delves into the “rivalry” existing between the members of the Californian group and the Beatles questioning whether both would have been so great if they hadn't seen the “competition” between them as a stimulus to build their careers.
In addition to names from the music industry, the production also features reports and opinions from Paul McCartney, one of the members of the famous Liverpool group. The two groups were formed at the same time and constantly competed for the top of the main music charts.
“I think it was a friendly competition, they inspired each other. I spoke to Paul McCartney too and he confirms this. They loved hearing what the Beach Boys were doing because it made them want to be bigger and better,” Frank said.
“I don’t think there would be one without the other, at least not in all the grandeur they were. There would be no Beatles as we know them today without the Beach Boys. There would be no 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club' without 'Pet Sounds' “, he added, referring to the groups’ two great albums.
“I hope that with the documentary people realize the impact of the Beach Boys on music and that they are timeless and a true celebration of hope, love, joy, friendship. We need Beach Boys in the world today. I hope people listen to them”, concluded the director.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
