The year was 1966. The music industry was about to be rocked by one of the most innovative and groundbreaking albums ever created. The album was “Pet Sounds” by The Beach Boys, and its creator was none other than the band’s musical genius, Brian Wilson. However, the effect the record had on the music industry wasn’t appreciated for more than three decades.
The Beach Boys enjoyed immense success from past albums, including the iconic “Surfin’ USA” and “Little Deuce Coupe.” The band’s success is credited to the members’ captivating harmonies and melodic surf-rock style. It was Dennis Wilson, one of Brian’s two younger brothers in the band, the only actual surfer in the group, whose idea it was to play surf rock.
“Seriously, Dennis got the idea that we should write something about surfing, because he was a big, avid surfer … then,” Brian said in the 2021 documentary “Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road.”
Be that as it may, Brian Wilson was eager to develop new styles of music.
Following a severe panic attack in late 1964, Brian was compelled to stop touring with the group and return home to Los Angeles. This afforded him the ability to focus on writing and creating new music. Inspired by The Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” album and producer Phil Spector, Wilson longed to make the “greatest rock album ever.” On May 16, 1966, the band’s 11th studio album, “Pet Sounds,” was released. It took The Beach Boys’ sound in a completely new direction.