In Print

BB BOOKS

A SURFER BOY'S DREAM COME TRUE: Bruce Johnston from Surfer Boy to Beach Boy

Stephen McParland's newest e-book, A Surfer Boy's Dream Come True: Bruce Johnston from Surfer Boy to Beach Boy, is now available. The book chronicles Bruce's musical career before he joined The Beach Boys. Available for $11.95 US from Payhip.com. (10-25-24)

THE BEACH BOYS BY THE BEACH BOYS

A new book compilation, The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys, was published December 2023 in a deluxe, book-collectors' limited edition from Genesis Publications, consisting of 500 signed copies worldwide. The band's story is told through through the BBs' own words — from Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Bruce Johnston — with 400 pages lavishly illustrated with rare and iconic photographs from the Capitol Records' and the band's own personal archives, along with historical ephemera from the band. The Deluxe edition has high-end binding and slipcover and is signed by 4 of the surviving BBs. An unsigned, mass-market hardcover edition was published on April 2, 2024. (updated 6-24-24)

A FOOL'S JOURNEY: To the Beach Boys and Beyond

Former '70s BB sideman Carli Muñoz has written an autobiography, A Fool's Journey: To the Beach Boys and Beyond, set for publication on October 12, 2023. (8-6-23)

THE BEACH BOYS OFFICIAL COLORING BOOK and THE BEACH BOYS PRESENT: THE ABC'S OF CALIFORNIA

The Beach Boys Official Coloring Book, by David Calcano and Giggens, with intro by Howie Edelson and illustrations of the band by Lindsay Lee and Juan Riera, is set for a July 18, 2023 (UK) / September 12, 2023 (US) publication date. Calcano and Lee also have another BBs book coming out this fall, The Beach Boys Present: The ABC's of California. This hardcover children's book will be out on October 10, 2023. (7-14-23)

GOD ONLY KNOWS: The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys and the California Myth

David Leaf's 1978 book, The Beach Boys and the California Myth, will be released in a new edition. The third expanded edition, now titled God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys and the California Myth, will be available in the U.K. on June 23, 2022 and in the fall for the U.S. (4-26-22)

DREAMER: The Making of Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue

Ken Sharp's 416-page book Dreamer: The Making of Dennis Wilson's Pacific Ocean Blue examines the backstory of Dennis' signature masterpiece. It is structured as an oral history, with interviews from many of the album's participants, fellow BBs, and family members. The book is available in soft-cover for $35 plus shipping, and in a very limited signed hardcover edition for $55 plus shipping. It's only available directly from Sharp, email him at to order your copy. More information. (11-17-17)

I AM BRIAN WILSON

Brian Wilson's autobiography, titled I Am Brian Wilson: A Memoir and co-authored by Ben Greenman, came out on Oct. 11, 2016, from Da Capo Press. Brian's book is available in hardback, ebook, and audio formats. (8/27/16)

GOOD VIBRATIONS: My Life as a Beach Boy

Mike's book, Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy, co-written by James S. Hirsch, was published on Sept. 13, 2016, from Penguin-Random House. Mike's book is available in hardback, ebook, and audiobook (read by Mike himself) in CD and digital formats. (8/27/16)

THE BEACH BOYS IN CONCERT

Ian Rustin and Jon Stebbins have compiled the most comprehensive study of the Beach Boys on tour, to date. The Beach Boys in Concert: The Ultimate History of American's Band on Tour and Onstage is lavishly presented in a 400+ page, heavily illustrated, informative hard-bound book. (8/9/13)

THE BEACH BOYS ON TOUR 1966, SURFBOARDS, STRATOCASTERS, STRIPED SHIRTS

A handsome coffee table book, presented as a photo journal by “Balsa” Bill Yerkes, with foreword by Bruce Johnston. Over 160 glossy pages of previously unpublished b&w photos photos from the Beach Boys' 1966 tour. Preview the book at the author's website. (Dec. 2012)

FIFTY SIDES OF THE BEACH BOYS

A new book, Fifty Sides of the Beach Boys: The Songs That Tell Their Story, by Mark Dillon, details the Beach Boys’ story through the origins, production, and achievements of each of the 50 songs addressed by the text. Dillon, an entertainment journalist in Toronto, includes interviews and commentary about the BB’s music from not only members of the group, like Brian Wilson and Mike Love, but also other prominent artists who claim the band as an influence. (updated 4/30/12)

THE BEACH BOYS: All That's Left to Know and More

Author Jon Stebbins has been signed to Backbeat Books to write the Beach Boys edition for their popular FAQ book series. The FAQ series is subtitled "All That's Left to Know and More," with an emphasis on digging deeply into the details and minutia of the evolution of the band and its recordings. The Beach Boys tome will be among the most extensive volumes in the series. The approximately 400-page book will be illustrated with rare photos and memorabilia images.
Stebbins also has a revised and updated edition of his Dennis Wilson -- The Real Beach Boy book in the works, as well as a new collaboration in development with New York writer Howie Edelson. The Beach Boys FAQ will be the first of the three books to see release, as Backbeat expects it in the market prior to The Beach Boys 50th anniversary year of 2011. (12/21/09)

THE BEACH BOYS: The Essential Interviews

The Beach Boys: The Essential Interviews, collects candid and informative interviews with the band. Beginning at the height of the BB's popularity in 1966, this title offers a unique look at the dynamics of the group and includes collective and individual conversations with Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston at various career intervals. The 334-page book is available for purchase from Rifftastic!/Rock Reader Books at www.lulu.com. (11/15/09)

DAVID MARKS: The Lost Beach Boy

Jon Stebbins and David Marks' book, The Lost Beach Boy, is described as "an average everyday story of a 14-year-old who rode a massive wave to fame with America's favorite band." The book covers the early days of the Beach Boys, as well as Marks' intriguing journey to the present. According to Jon's website, “David's perspective insures that the 'full' birth of the Beach Boys' story is being told for the first time. It will challenge many of the perceptions we previously had of his role in the band, and covers all aspects of a life that encountered despair, addiction and death — yet lived to rejoin the band he walked away from at their initial peak.” For more details, go to the Lost Beach Boy website. (6/19/07)

CATCH A WAVE

Catch a Wave: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, a book by Peter Ames Carlin, was published in August of 2006. (updated 8/26/06)

SLOOP JOHN B: A Pirate's Tale

Al Jardine's book, Sloop John B: A Pirate's Tale, 32-page hardcover children's book lists for $17.95 and features a new recording of the song to play as you read. The new lyrics tell of a young boy and his grandfather getting trapped by pirates at sea, and defeating them. Makes a great gift for kids of all ages! (6/2/05)

PET SOUNDS BOOK

The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds is a new book by Jim Fusilli, available in March 2005 from Continuum Publishing ($9.95 paperback). The book takes “a deeply personal look” at Brian Wilson's involvement in the creation and recording of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, with examinations of each song on the album. (3/10/05)

THE BEACH BOYS — The Definitive Diary...

The Beach Boys — The Definitive Diary of America's Greatest Band, on Stage and in the Studio, by Keith Badman is published by Backbeat Books. The book is approximately 384 pages and is a day by day, detailed listing of the group's activities between 1961 and 1976. In addition, there is a song recording index and a list of all TV appearances. The price is $29.95 in the US and £19.95 in the UK. (5/12/04)

THIS WHOLE WORLD

This Whole World — The Complete Beach Boys Singles and EP Cover Collection is a new 300 page, full-color, hard-bound collectors' guide that documents picture sleeves of all The Beach Boys' group and solo singles and EPs worldwide in full color, with a foreword by Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford. Price is 49.00 Euro / 34.30 GBP / 62.92 USD (without postage). Air postage for Europe is 8.20 Euro; for others (USA, Japan, Australia, etc.), 12.30 Euro. To order, email vertrieb@fossilverlag.de. You can also buy the book online at www.vinylcover.net. (5/12/04)

TWO BOOKS FOR BB COLLECTORS

Joseph J. Thomas offers two handsome new books, The Beach Boys on CD and The Complete Guide to the Solo Works of Brian Wilson (coauthored with Kie Miskelly). Both books are available from the author. Please go to www.risingsurf.net for more information. (5/12/04)

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE MUSIC OF THE BEACH BOYS

The second edition of The Complete Guide to the Music of the Beach Boys by Andrew Doe and John Tobler is coming out in Sept. 2004. (5/12/04)

RECORDING THE BEACH BOYS

Recording the Beach Boys by Stephen W. Desper gives a detailed and insightful look into the making of the Sunflower and Surf's Up albums and the recording techniques employed in their production, as written by the chief mixer and recordings engineer for these sessions. Hidden within the stereo release of these two albums is a virtual surround-sound listening experience. The book comes with a unique device enabling any fan to optimize their stereo system and to realize the complete and accurate virtual surround listening experience hidden in all stereo releases of Sunflower and Surf's Up. Follow this link for more information. (12/10/02)

DUMB ANGEL: The Life & Music of Dennis Wilson

Adam Webb's Dumb Angel: The Life & Music of Dennis Wilson, published by Creation Books, is now available in the U.S. The new book includes a forward by Peter Buck of R.E.M. (2001)

DENNIS WILSON: THE REAL BEACH BOY

The definitive book on the Beach Boys' drummer/sex symbol, Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy by Jon Stebbins is out in bookstores. The paperback volume runs 230 pages, with some 50 color and b&w photos. It retails for $16.95, ISBN 1-55022-404-2. For more information, visit ECW Press' website. (1/26/00)

DENNY REMEMBERED, NEW EDITION

The newly revised 1999 edition of Ed Wincentsen's book, Denny Remembered, Dennis Wilson in Words & Pictures, is about to be reprinted by Wynn Publishing. "Here, at last, is the side of Dennis Wilson that the press was not telling. With loving contributions by friends, fans, business associates, and Denny's children, there emerges a true and honest profile of the man." The 189-page book is available as a trade paperback through some bookstores, including online ones and also through Wynn Publishing, P.O. Box 1491, Pickens, SC 29761, USA. Call (864) 878-6469 for more information. Suggested retail price is $22.95; ISBN no. is 0-9642808-3-3. (8/23/99)

ADD SOME MUSIC TO YOUR DAY

Add Some Music To Your Day: Analyzing and Enjoying the Music of the Beach Boys will be published by Tiny Ripple Books in late December. The book covers the best of the Add Some Music Beach Boys fanzine, which was published between 1978-1984. The tome includes over 40 newly-edited articles, essays, and reviews, plus over 35 photos. Price is $19.95, plus $3 shipping. For more information, visit the Tiny Ripple website or write Tiny Ripple Books at P.O. Box 1533, Cranberry Township, PA 16066. (12/15/99)

BACK TO THE BEACH

Back to the Beach: A Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys Reader, compiled by Kingsley Abbot and published by Helter Skelter Publishing, with forward by Brian Wilson. (5/27/98)

HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN?

Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys: How Deep Is the Ocean?, Crawdaddy Magazine editor Paul Williams' new book on the Beach Boys is out. Look for it in bookstores. Hardcover signed and limited copies are available from Crawdaddy, Box 231155, Encinitas, CA 92023. Check Crawdaddy's site for book price, ordering information, and an excerpt. (10/14/97)

BACK TO THE BEACH

Back to the Beach: A Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys Reader, compiled by Kingsley Abbot and published by Helter Skelter Publishing, with forward by Brian Wilson. (5/27/98)

OTHER

MIKE KOWALSKI IN CLASSIC DRUMMER

Look for a feature story on longtime BB band drummer Mike Kowalski, in the July 2005 issue of Classic Drummer. The article was written by Mike Megaffin. Back issues may be ordered from www.classicdrummer.com or call 770-438-0844. (6/19/05)

**FRANK HOLMES SMILE ART SHOW**

Frank Holmes, the artist for the aborted BB Smile album, has an exhibit of his original illustrations for the album and accompanying booklet on view at Enrico's, 504 Broadway at Kearny, North Beach, San Francisco, CA; 415-982-6223. The show runs through October 2005. (7/27/05)

CARNIE WILSON'S I'M STILL HUNGRY

Carnie Wilson has published I'm Still Hungry: Finding Myself Through Thick and Thin, the second installment in her autobiography. (updated 1/26/04)

**RICCI MARTIN'S THAT'S AMORE: A Son Remembers**

In his book That's Amore, Ricci Martin (Carl Wilson's brother-in-law) takes readers on a tour through his childhood, from the star-studded parties to the exploration of "three marriages, eight kids, one family" to the treasured one-on-one time he shared with his father, legendary actor/singer Dean Martin. That's Amore shares the triumphs, tragedies, and escapades that colored Ricci's childhood and reveals Dean as the husband and father few people knew. More than 100 photos from the private Martin family album enhance Ricci's portrait of his father, creating a complete, honest picture of the Rat Pack legend. Ricci also writes about The Beach Boys, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Billy Hinsche, Annie Wilson-Karges, and more familiar names to Beach Boys fans. For more information, please visit Ricci's website. (updated 4/13/02)

ARCHIVED STORIES

Frank Holmes' Smile cover art reprints; ordering info
Carl Wilson limited edition Rickenbacker guitar poster
Stan Love's Beach Boys posters and Y2K BB calendar

Maintained by the webteam | Last updated November 13, 2024