The Beach Boys Come To The Van Wezel 4/6

The Beach Boys, the No. 1-selling American band of all time (Billboard), brings their unique sound to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for one night only with special guest John Stamos on Tuesday, Apr. 6 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $40-$70 (with a limited number of "smart seats" priced at $30).

Formed in 1961, the band gained popularity for their close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting a Southern California youth culture of cars, surfing and romance. Founder BrIan Wilson's growing creative ambitions later transformed them into a more artistically innovative group that earned critical praise and influenced many later musicians.

The group was initially composed of singer-musician-composer BrIan Wilson, his brothers Carl and Dennis, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. This core quintet was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1988.

In addition to founding Beach Boy Mike Love (lead vocals) and Beach Boy-vet Bruce Johnston (vocals/keyboards), Christian Love (guitar/vocals), Randell Kirsch (bass/vocals), Tim Bonhomme (keyboards/vocals), John Cowsill of the Cowsills (percussion/vocals) and Scott Totten (guitar/vocals) round out the band today. For their concert at the Van Wezel, actor John Stamos (best known for his role on TV's Full House) is scheduled to play the drums with the group. He has played drums occasionally with The Beach Boys since 1985, and directed their "Hot Fun in the Summertime" video and produced The Beach Boys: An American Family in 2000. The Beach Boys and John Stamos are appearing on ABC's Dancing with the Stars on March 30....
Some of the numbers which The Beach Boys will be performing are God Only Knows, Kokomo, California Girls, California Dreamin', God Only Knows, Fun, Fun, Fun, and I Get Around.

The Beach Boys have often been called "America's Band." Allmusic.com noted that "the band's unerring ability... made them America's first, best rock band." The group has had 36 U.S. Top 40 hits (the most of any U.S. rock band) and 56 Hot 100 hits, including four number one singles. Rolling Stone magazine listed The Beach Boys as number 12 in the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

For more information and to buy tickets, contact the Van Wezel Box Office at 941- 953-3368 or log onto www.vanwezel.org. Burgers and Beer by Michaels on East will be available for purchase prior to the show starting at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are not required.