Friday January 1, 1965
Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC (8:00 PM Show)
Saturday January 2, 1965
Alan B. Shepard Civic Center “The Dome,” Virginia Beach, VA-with the Belvederes (Two Shows)
According to John Moreau of the Virginia Beach Pilot, “Brian, who writes 90% of the Beach Boy’s music, wasn’t there. Glen Campbell, 23, filled in for him.” The reporter was there with a number of teenagers to greet the group’s plane at Norfolk Airport late in the afternoon.
The reporter and a slew of fans greeted the group at Norfolk Airport that afternoon. Asked why he wore his hair long, Dennis pointed at the fans, “They like it, it’s exciting on stage.” Discussing the British invasion, the group expressed admiration for the Beatles, but Mike stated, “The others…sound awful and they’re lousy musicians. They don’t have any talent…they just don’t cut the mustard.”
Sunday January 3, 1965
Mosque, Richmond, VA-with the Belvederes (8:00 PM Show)
This was apparently the last day of this stressful tour. The BBs returned home to complete the Today album.
Wednesday January 27, 1965
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR-with Don and the Goodtimes and the Sonics (8:00 PM Show)
Manager Don Rice accompanied the group on this Pacific-Northwest tour, though he would soon depart for the armed services (he died in 2018). Glen Campbell was unable to play the show (he rejoined the tour in Vancouver) and Brian Wilson, making his first appearance since his Houston breakdown, took his place. The Beach Boys performed the concert dressed in yellow KISN cotton sweatshirts. Longtime fan David Higginbotham was in attendance and recalled, “They had even more hits than the last time I saw them (in May 1964) so the show was even bigger…It was more colorful too because they were on a stage that had brighter lighting and they had on those yellow sweatshirts which made them much more colorful…They also had bigger and nicer amps… They had brand new Showman amps and JBL speakers. …Carl had the 12-string guitar, which was kind of impressive. We didn’t know quite what to make of that, because we’d never seen one before… The show was more intense and fever pitched (than previous Portland shows), with lots of girls screaming… It was kind of like the TAMI Show scene.”
One bizarre incident at this show occurred when it was time for Dennis to sing “The Wanderer.” Brian usually played drums on this song, while Al played bass. A fan recalled, “When Brian removed the bass strap to go and play drums, he decided to hand the bass to Mike, so he could hand it to Al. Mike was holding a microphone and Brian was holding the bass with his hands on the strings. There was a ground problem between the PA and the amplifiers and when Mike grabbed the bass, they got shocked. Brian and Mike both jumped out of their pants practically and they dropped the bass. When it fell to the stage floor it just made this horrible super loud crashing sound. They did their best to just kind of laugh it off.”
Friday January 29, 1965
Exhibition Forum, Vancouver, BC, Canada
This was the Beach Boys first show in Canada. Glen Campbell played in place of Brian. The Vancouver Sun reported, “hysterical fans attempted to climb on stage at the Forum where a Hollywood group called the Beach Boys was performing. Five police officers holding barricades against the pressing crowd lost their uniform hats to youths who snatched them off their heads.”
Saturday January 30, 1965
Seattle Coliseum, Seattle, WA-with the Sonics, the Dynamics, the Viceroys, Sir Raleigh and the Coupons, Terry Black, Jimmy Hanna, the Astronauts and Jan and Dean (8:00 PM Show)
The Beach Boys flew from Vancouver to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and were greeted by 800 frenzied fans that chased after them as they left for their hotel. One female fan crashed her father’s car into the back of their rented limousine in an effort to catch up with them. Mike was nonchalant about all the pandemonium. He told a reporter, “It’s a great life. (We) have our cake and eat it too. Most people over twenty-five never heard of us and when we go out in the evening with adults nobody bothers us at all.” Comparing this show to earlier appearances by the Beach Boys, the Seattle Times reviewer commented, “The difference this time was that the audience actually quieted down at times to listen to the Beach Boys and others. Either the young people are mellowing or the Beach Boys don’t have the hysterical effect on the teenagers that the British combos do.”
Thursday February 4, 1965
Robinson Auditorium, Little Rock, AR (8:00 PM Show)
The Beach Boys visited Little Rock as a makeup for the concert scheduled for December 20 1964 that was canceled at the last minute.
Friday February 5, 1965
Assembly Center Arena, Tulsa, OK (8:00 PM Show)
This was a makeup concert for the Beach Boys canceled December 19, 1964 appearance in Tulsa. I was not aware of this show when I wrote my book.
Saturday February 6, 1965
Wichita Forum, Wichita, KS-with The Profits, the Singing Conners and Dick and Dee Dee (8:30 PM Show)
This was the Beach Boys second appearance in Wichita, where they'd previously played in the spring of 1963. Interviewed backstage by the Wichita Beacon, all the Beach Boys declared that Don’t Worry Baby was their favorite song they’d recorded so far (except for Mike, who professed not to have a favorite). Asked about previous names for the group, Carl chuckled that they’d considered the Pendletons and the Surfers before settling on the Beach Boys. Asked if the group argued about what to record, Al stated, “Generally, we automatically agree to anything that Brian, who arranges all the music, says about what we sing.”
Friday February 12, 1965
Convention Hall, Philadelphia, PA-with Billy Harner and the Expressions and Pal & the Prophets (8:30 PM Show)
The Beach Boys embarked on a ten-day east coast tour with Terry Sachen and Ron Swallow. Writer Earl Leaf also was on this tour. Glen Campbell had other commitments, so Brian took his place for a week. The BBs were prevented from landing in Philly due to fog and instead touched down in Baltimore and then took a train to the city, in time for a press conference. Geoffrey James of the Evening Bulletin noted, "The teens jumped on their chairs, beat their hands against their heads, flailed their arms in the ritual motions of the Jerk, the Slop and the Crossfire…Others threw notes to Dennis Wilson, the group’s lank haired drummer. He in return tossed drumsticks into the crowd, causing chaos wherever they landed.”
Saturday February 13, 1965
Academy of Music, New York, NY (Two shows at 2:00 and 4:00 PM)
The Beach Boys made their second New York City appearance at this now demolished venue on 14th Street and 3rd Avenue. Don Paulsen photographed the group for Hit Parader Magazine. He reported on a backstage happenings and a press conference, at which most of the questions were directed to Brian. When asked what his criterion for success was, Brian stated “Record Sales and screams.” Responding to a question about his music, he said, “When I write a song, I believe in it…I’m usually happy with the songs I write.” He also stated, “Each successive record should have more polish. We don’t want to get too complex, but we’d like to improve harmonically. The lyrics are part of American teen culture.” When a reporter asked him if he considered his records artistic or commercial, Brian answered “Five years ago there may have been a gap between the two, but not today. Take Dionne Warwick. Her records are obviously commercial because they sell, but they’re also very lovely. Phil Spector is great. It’s much easier to be expressive in a record nowadays.” Speaking about New York City, Brian said, “I don’t think I could live here” and quoted from a then popular song “New York’s a lonely place when you’re the only surfer boy around.”
The Hit Parader article mentioned that a German TV company was present, filming backstage sequences for a documentary. The television crew was making a film about American teenagers, specifically focusing on the Rock n’ Rods Auto Club of Yonkers, NY. Members of the club attended the concert and met the Beach Boys backstage, all of which was filmed. This footage has not surfaced.
Sunday February 14, 1965
Mosque Theatre, Newark, NJ, with the Magnificent Seven (3:00 PM Show)
It's clear that the Beach Boys played at least one concert in between this show and the next recorded one in Rhode Island on the 17th but up to now I have been unable to figure out where they played.
Wednesday February 17, 1965
Rhodes Ballroom, Cranston, RI-with Joey Major and the Minors and Dipsey (8:00 PM Show)
The show was marred by an odd incident. As the Beach Boys were exiting the venue, a young man grabbed Dennis, tearing his shirt. According to Earl Leaf, “He nabbed the boy and started a hay-maker swing. ‘Don’t you hit him,’ yelled a cop in the nick of time. Denny turned the offender loose.”
Thursday February 18, 1965
Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, MA (8:00 PM Show)
Three and a half months after their first appearance at Worcester (October 30, 1964) ended in a near riot, the Beach Boys returned to play a full show for their fans. Gerard Goggins of the Worcester Evening Gazette described the scene backstage before the show: “One of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, sat down at an upright piano and played part of his repertoire while another Mike Love wrote down the songs they were to play on a few pieces of borrowed paper. The program didn’t help much because most of them didn’t know the order of songs anyway even though Carl Wilson had duplicated a high school crib sheet by writing the songs down on the palm of his hands.”
The concert itself was uneventful compared to the group’s last visit to Worcester. The Worcester Telegram reported, “There were screams, screams and more screams, supplied mostly by adoring and excited young females, but there was no repetition of last October’s near riot…The closest thing to an incident came after the show was over, as the five singers clad in short sleeved shirts and tight chino pants, sprinted through a side exit to escape the crowd. A swarm of frantic teen-agers tried to follow their idols, but a police line, bulwarked by two long aisle-blocking tables held firm and the crisis passed.”
Friday February 19, 1965
Maurice Richard Arena, Montreal, Canada-with M.G and the Escorts and J.B. and the Playboys
Glen Campbell returned to replace Brian in time for this show. Prior to the concert that night, the Beach Boys (including Glen) were interviewed backstage by Jim McKenna for the CBC TV Show Like Young. The Beach Boys remarked how cold it was in Montreal and Mike playfully stole Al's cap and one of his gloves. McKenna asked Glen if he was subbing for Brian and he remarked, "Brian got sick, so I came out to take his place so they wouldn’t have to cancel the show.” McKenna then asked, “Do you do it quite often?” Glen: “Sometimes, yes.” Over 5,000 teen-agers attended this concert, the Beach Boys second appearance in Canada. The concert was a wild one and was briefly stopped by the Montreal Police when a riot broke out. Glen Campbell recalled, “We came out and sang the opening notes of ‘Round, Round, Get Around, I Get Around’ and man you couldn’t even see the cops under the mob that was charging the stage. We lit out for the dressing rooms until reinforcements came.”
Saturday February 20, 1965
YM/YWCA Auditorium, Ottawa, ON, Canada-with the Big Town Boys, the Girl Friends and the Staccatos (8:30 PM Show)
The Beach Boys drove to Ottawa by bus accompanied by an entourage of eleven people, including writer Earl Leaf. According to the Ottawa Citizen, five thousand fans all but drowned out the group and near riots broke out as fans tried to storm the stage. Three girls had to be carried out in stretchers and police had to remove a girl, who was hiding in the shower of the group’s dressing room. Earl Leaf noted that towards the end of the concert, “so many chicks charged on stage that the city police and security guards stood shoulder to shoulder on the stage itself in front of the Beach Boys. It was a laugh to see the guys playing and singing their hearts out to the backs of the fuzz. They must have been invisible to the main floor audience.”
Columnist Sandy Gardiner of the Ottawa Journal was not impressed when he met the Beach Boys backstage. He reported, "I found them as warm as an iceberg. And the only people they seem to find exciting are themselves. As musicians they are still exceptional and very talented. But the four I met backstage-Brian Wilson was in Los Angeles suffering from an unexplained illness-were about as bright as the Lafleche Caves. Unlike the British groups who thrive on meeting people, the Beach Boys couldn't care less. They, it seems, feel they don't need anyone anymore." Gardiner noted that CBC broadcaster John Pozer was filming them backstage for Saturday Date but all the footage he could get was "eleven minutes of card playing."
Sunday February 21, 1965
Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON, Canada-with the Esquires, the Big Town Boys and the Girl Friends (7:00 PM Show)
Over 8,000 teen-agers turned out for the group’s first show in Toronto. Gerald Utting of the Toronto Star described the performance that night as “a cacophonous blend of staccato chords, massed wailing, thundering, meaningless shouts, uniforms of yellow shirts and tight, tight pants, semi erotic gyrations, blinding and ceaseless barrages of flashbulbs, thousands of straining youngsters raising arms high in triumph.”
Monday February 22, 1965
Kleinhan’s Music Hall, Buffalo, NY-with the Frontiersmen
The group wrapped up their tour with their second appearance in Buffalo. Dressed in lemon yellow shirts and white pants they performed to more than 3,000 fans. According to Susan Dormady of the Dunkirk Observer, “Buffalo was the last stop on their six day one-nighter tour of the States. I talked with their personal manager Mr. Shrank (undoubtedly a typo for Terry Sachen), who told me the boys were quite tired. Nevertheless, the group lived up to its high standards and gave a marvelous performance filled with liveliness, humor, vigor and enthusiasm.” The Courier Express reported, “Police-men were able to keep the 3,000 young people under control until the end of the program. At that point, teen-agers, reluctant to allow their idols to leave, clambered on stage and attempted to storm the backstage area.” As a result of this riot, the city banned concerts at the venue for a number of years.
Fan Mary Petz wrote about the show in the summer 1965 issue of Datebook and commented, “What a fabulous show they put on!!...The crowd was loud but very well behaved. During the final number one young girl sitting in the front row could no longer contain herself and she jumped up onto the stage and stood there screaming. Glen Campbell (of Shindig fame) walked her off the stage. Glen did a great job of sitting in for Brian. The Beach Boys were very lucky that he could come.” Petz noted that she and a friend then managed to discover where the BBs were staying and visited them in their hotel room, where they played gin-rummy with Carl, while Mike nursed a “goose-egg” over his right eye that he’d received from an “overanxious fan” when leaving the concert venue.
Friday February 26, 1965
Civic Auditorium, San Jose, CA-with Paul Revere and the Raiders, the Preps, the Tikis and the Beau Brummels (8:30 PM Show)
Brian Wilson played this show. As shown in the accompanying photograph, the Mayor of San Jose came backstage to meet the band and presented them with a package of dried prunes! I assume that either Glen Campbell had another engagement that night or Brian just chose to play this concert, which did not require him to travel too far. His appearance on this night may mean that he also played the show in Sacramento the next night but evidence is lacking to determine that.
Saturday February 27, 1965
Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, CA-with Paul Revere and the Raiders and the Marauders (Two shows at 7:00 and 9:30 PM)
Two fans wrote to the Sacramento Bee on March 19 1965 and commented, "There was really a gas of a show February 27th at the Memorial Auditorium...The audience at the 9:30 performance was well behaved considering the excitement that the Beach Boys aroused and the large number of teenagers present...However, after about an hour of listening attentively to the fabulous Beach Boys...the curtain suddenly dropped and the show was abruptly cut off. It was cut off due to the selfish and impulsive actions of a few individuals who were inclined to dash onto the stage and grab the nearest Beach Boy."
Friday March 26 and Saturday March 27, 1965
Arie Crown Theater, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
Brian joined the group for these shows, both of which were recorded for a possible live album. The full set lists are as follows: (March 26) “Do You Wanna Dance”, “Little Honda”, “Surfin’ USA”, “Don’t Worry Baby”, “Papa Oom Mow Mow”, “Monster Mash”, “Louie Louie”, “Hawaii”, “Surfer Girl”, “Runaway”, “Shut Down”, “Wendy”, “Please Let Me Wonder”, “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “I Get Around” and “Johnny B Goode”. (March 27) “Do You Wanna Dance”, “Hawaii”, “Please Let Me Wonder”, “Surfer Girl”, “Runaway”, “Louie Louie”, “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “409”, “Shut Down”, “Monster Mash”, “Surfin USA”, “Little Honda,” “Wendy,” “In My Room,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “I Get Around,” “Johnny B Goode” and “Papa Oom Mow Mow.” The album was ultimately scrapped, but the tapes were preserved and an album was released in 2015.
Sunday March 28, 1965
Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, OH-with Billy Jo Royal, Avo and Ray, the Driving Winds, Kenny Price, Geri Diamond, the Casinos, the Teardrops, the Cincy Singers and the Contenders (7:30 PM Show)
With Brian in the line-up, the group played one more Midwest show, attended by 7,507 fans. Dale Stevens of the Cincinnati Post & Times Star noted that the crowd was almost as wild as the audience at a recent Beatles concert, and commented that the Beach Boys “played to the crowd to keep things at a fever pitch, in a manner calculated to make the girls leap at the five guys. The poor drummer was assaulted with love three times. The first time he went over backwards. The next two he didn’t miss a beat. Just like vaudeville. Stage style of the Beach Boys is wacky. One wears a Rex Harrison hat at all times and roams all over the stage. They have adopted the general devil may care approach of the Beatles and to give them their dues, they sing quite well.”
Monday April 5, 1965
Melodyland, Anaheim, CA-with the Munsters, and the Pat & Lolly Vegas Trio (Two shows at 5:00 and 9:00 PM)
Following this concert, the Beach Boys taped an appearance on the TV show Shindig on Wednesday April 7. The group (including Brian) performed live versions of “Do You Wanna Dance”, “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “Long Tall Texan”, “Please, Let Me Wonder” and “Help Me Rhonda” before a studio audience. They also sang “Their Hearts Were Full of Spring” without instruments. The show aired on April 21, 1965.
Friday April 9, 1965
Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, LA-with the Aubry Twins, the Fabulieres and Bobby Goldsboro (8:30 PM Show)
This concert marked Bruce Johnston’s debut with the Beach Boys. However, on this tour Bruce was only filling in for Glen Campbell, who returned to the road on April 11. An eight-person entourage, including Al’s wife Lynda, Ron Swallow, the Wilson’s cousin Steve Korthof, and road manager Terry Sachen, accompanied the group.
Saturday April 10, 1965
Ellis Auditorium Amphitheater, Memphis, TN-with Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, Bobby Wood and Bobby Goldsboro (8:30 PM Show)
The Memphis and Atlanta shows were opened by Bobby Wood, a standup pianist from Mississippi who’d scored a minor hit with his song ‘If I’m a Fool for Loving You’ (which was later recorded by Elvis). The previous year, Wood had been in a serious car accident, which left without one eye and damaged his career momentum due to his longtime in the hospital. Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs were riding high on the success of ‘Wooly Bully’, which would reach number 2 on the charts by June. Bobby Goldsboro was a guitarist/songwriter from Florida and he scored a number of hits with white soul songs like “Little Things” and “Voodoo Woman.”
Sunday April 11, 1965
Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, GA-with The Commotions, Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, Bobby Wood and Bobby Goldsboro (3:30 PM Show)
Glen Campbell returned to the road and replaced Bruce Johnston, who headed to Miami where he holed up in a hotel room learning the bass. Campbell had made it clear that his days as a Beach Boy were numbered and that Bruce was being groomed as his replacement. However, Glen remained with the group off and on until May 15. Over 4000 fans, most of them teenagers, attended the Beach Boys’ second Atlanta appearance, sponsored by radio station WQXI. Sam Lucchese of The Atlanta Journal noted, “When the Beach Boys took the stage their fans literally drowned them out with their screaming reception. Drummer Dennis Wilson seemed to evoke the most screams but Mike Love, in his singing emcee capacity, had his innings too. Carl Wilson, Al Jardine and Brian Wilson also got their share of applause.”
Monday April 12, 1965
Jack Russell Stadium, Clearwater, FL-with the Roemans and Pam Hall & the Catalinas (7:00 PM Show)
The Beach Boys made a memorable entrance to this show, riding into the stadium atop a white MG sports car. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the police ordered them to ride in because they were worried the band would be attacked if they walked into the stadium. According to Sallie Elmore of the Clearwater Sun, “Halfway through their first song a dozen or more girls jumped the railings and ran for the stage. What they planned to do once they got there we’ll never know. After that it was something of a free for all-kids in surfer shirts dancing on the dugout roof, young boys running after drum sticks thrown by Dennis Wilson, and always the screaming, clapping and whistling.” Elmore met the group later that night at their motel and reported, “Despite their popularity the Beach Boys remain nice guys. At the motel, Dennis had filled his bathtub with fish and was scuba diving in the swimming pool, (while) Carl Wilson, Mike Love and Glen Campbell (substituting for Brian Wilson) were sitting around eating hamburgers and talking about the show.”
Wednesday April 14, 1965
Yankee Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, FL (8:00 PM Show)
Thursday April 15, 1965
Convention Hall, Miami, FL (8:30 PM Show)
Saturday April 17, 1965
City Island Ball Park, Daytona Beach, FL-with the Escorts and the Nightcrawlers (8:00 PM Show)
The Beach Boys performed for an enthusiastic crowd of 7,000 college students on their spring break. Photographs in the Daytona Beach Sunday News show that Glen Campbell was playing bass that night.
Monday April 19, 1965
Tinker Field Stadium, Orlando, FL (8:00 PM show)
Bruce Johnston, having mastered bass guitar, replaced Glen Campbell for this show and the concert in Delaware.
Tuesday April 20, 1965
State Armory, Wilmington, DE-with the Sonics and the Nebulas (8:00 PM Show)
The Beach Boys flew from Orlando to Washington and then switched planes for the short flight to Wilmington. Dennis’s drums, however, didn’t make the second flight and the group had to borrow a set of drums from another act. About 3,500 teenagers attended the concert that night. Judith M. Roales of the Wilmington Evening Journal reported, “As Dennis Wilson, on the borrowed drums, led into the song ‘Do You Wanna Dance’ tears streamed down the cheeks of infatuated females yelling ‘Yes, yes.’ There was one other substitute on the program, Brian Wilson… missed the tour because of illness and was replaced by Bruce Johnston. No one seemed to mind that either.” A reporter who visited the group at their motel was treated to “Dennis striking the clowning note at once. Proudly he reeled off a list of recent traffic violations collected by the group for everything from driving without a license to driving too slow. And to prove the latter, Mike displayed yellow carbon copies of the tickets.”
Wednesday April 21, 1965
JFK Coliseum, Manchester, NH-with the Knights, the Mar-Vels and Danny Gravas
Glen Campbell returned to the lineup for the remainder of this tour, though Bruce remained with the group as well, allegedly in charge of the lighting!
Thursday April 22, 1965
Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, MA-with the Knights, the Mar-Vels and Danny Gravas (8:00 PM Show)
Friday April 23, 1965
Civic Center, Baltimore, MD-with Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, the British Walkers and the Uptowns (8:00 PM Show)
Saturday April 24, 1965
Washington Coliseum, Washington, DC-with the Jumping Jacks, the British Walkers, Danny and the Elegants and Jimmy Jones (8:00 PM Show)
Ronnie Oberman of the Washington Star reported, “Brian Wilson will not participate in tours in the immediate future. Two other singers, who will alternate, have been found to replace Brian on tours. They are Glen Campbell, who is frequently seen on Shindig, and Bruce Johnston, formerly of The Rip Chords. Campbell appeared on stage with The Beach Boys in Baltimore and Washington and Bruce was around too. ‘I’ve known these guys for three or four years,’ 20 year old Bruce says, ‘it’s groovy on the road with them. They never hassle. It’s a gas and I just dig them.”
When Oberman inquired about what had happened to David Marks, Dennis informed him that, “He was too young and couldn’t accept that we were so big. His parents couldn’t live with him. So, we asked Al to come back and he did.” Carl was asked if Rhonda of Help Me Rhonda was important to Brian in real life and commented, “No, it was just a name he made up!” Oberman also discussed Mike’s role onstage and whether he enjoyed clowning on tunes like Monster Mash. Mike commented, “I don’t play an instrument, so I compensate for it. Besides, I’m the only one with the capabilities of doing such extroverted deeds.”
Friday May 7, 1965
Legion Field, Birmingham, AL-with the Rolling Stones, the Righteous Brothers, Marty Robbins, Sonny James, Cannibal and the Headhunters, Skeeter Davis, Archie Campbell and Del Reeves (7:00 PM Show)
The group played to one of the largest audiences of their career to that date, with over 15,000 people in attendance. Glen Campbell who performed on bass in place of Brian Wilson told reporter Maxine Karp of Anniston High School that Brian would not be with them in the future but that he was "just holding down the fort till a permanent member is found." Emmett Weaver of the Birmingham Post noted “The audience fell into two definite categories 1) the screaming hand waving teens and younger set who were quite obviously dyed in the wool champions of this noisy form of ‘music’ and 2) parents with their stolid, patient faces who had been dragged to this teenage shindig under the stars…The Birmingham police kept the youngsters from the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys whenever they made an entrance or exit. Also it took a special wire fence across the width of the field to separate spectators from performers.”
This was the second and last time the group shared a bill with the Rolling Stones. Mike Love later recalled that “They were the act that directly preceded us…they came on and they did their best to bury us but it didn’t work too well because I happen to know the state motto of Alabama. And I came out and said ‘Hey this has been real-nice…real fun, but it’s about time we stood up for Alabama. The state motto is ‘Stand up for Alabama.’ They stood up, yelled, screamed, cheered and forgot about the Rolling Stones.” The Beach Boys and the Stones spent little time socializing backstage, since the Stones drove straight to the gig and left immediately after for Florida. They did, however, share a dressing room. Dennis had apparently formed a negative attitude towards the Stones during their previous meeting at The TAMI Show in October 1964. He noted to Ronnie Oberman of the Washington Star in April that, “We couldn’t talk to them. They were too good for us!” and added, “The Stones-all they do is make a lot of noise. I think their image is unbelievable. Who wants an image of looking sloppy!” Perhaps the bad feelings contributed to the mood backstage in Alabama, as according to roadie and friend Ron Swallow, “Dennis almost got into a fight with Mick Jagger because Dennis was offended by his poor hygiene!”
Saturday May 8, 1965
Alabama State Coliseum, Montgomery, AL-with the Righteous Brothers, Marty Robbins, Skeeter Davis, Cannibal and the Headhunters, Archie Campbell, The Premieres, Jack Martin and the Martiniques Band (8 PM Show)
The Beach Boys headed an all-star show in Montgomery. The Righteous Brothers were also on the bill and flew in from Jacksonville, where they played earlier in the day with the Rolling Stones. The Andy Hi-Lite reported, "There were many headliners there but the Beach Boys stole the show. They sang 15 numbers to the delight of lookers-on and vexation of their manager. Signatures flowed out of their fingers like water. They had their palms mopped, their legs grabbed and their clothes shredded in attempts to acquire souvenirs. Girls even fought over their drumsticks and guitar strings." I did not discover this show until after publication of my book.
Wednesday May 12, 1965
Alan B. Shepard Civic Center “The Dome”, Virginia Beach, VA-with the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Swinging Machine (Two shows at 7:00 and 9:00 PM)
Four months after their last appearance in Virginia Beach, the Beach Boys returned for a second set of shows in the Tidewater area, sponsored by WGH radio. A press release stated “this will be one of the first return concerts ever done by our group and this is the only night we can come back as we will be on the east coast to do the Ed Sullivan Show and will fly down from New York for WGH and all our Tidewater fans.”
Thursday May 13, 1965
Springfield Auditorium, Springfield, MA-with the Long Island Sounds (7:30 PM Show)
Three thousand fans were treated to a fifteen song performance, which included “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Little Old Lady From Pasadena,” “Monster Mash,” “Do You Wanna Dance,” (Sung by Dennis) and “Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow.” According to the Springfield Union, “The Beach Boys concert literally left the huge audience breathless. The boys chewed them up, swallowed them and spit them out and they came up yelling for more. Getting most of the loud screams was Dennis, who received an ovation with every shake of his long, blonde hair. At one point in the program, a group of girls ran up to the stage and presented their idol with a large sheet on which was printed ‘Denny the Sexy One.’”Glen Campbell was still playing bass for the group and told a reporter, who inquired about the Beach Boys’ leaders whereabouts, that Brian was home suffering from fatigue because “Brian writes and arranges all our songs and in addition, he manages recording sessions, acts as a public relations man and works 15 or 16 hours a day. Add to this public appearances and one show stands and it’s no wonder he became sick.”
Friday May 14, 1965
Boston Arena, Boston, MA-with the Long island Sounds, Dody Stuarte and the Caprolons (8:00 PM Show)
This show was almost canceled as a result of the Boston Police Department’s decision to ban all rock and roll concerts in the city, to prevent the violence associated with such events. The group was eventually allowed to perform because the Police deemed that the Beach Boys “have a history of non-violence.”
After the three opening acts had finished, the excited crowd chanted ‘We want the Beach Boys! They refused to calm down when Emcee Bruce Bradley of WBZ radio informed them that there would be a short delay while Carl Wilson replaced some broken guitar strings. Kathy Harrington of the Daily Evening Item reported that, “Kids began choking the stage entrance in anticipation. When the Beach Boys finally came running to the platform stage, it was mobbed. The kids in the floor seats and those in the sides rushed toward the stage but were pushed back by the police. Then the concert began. The screams were deafening. Mike Love…got most of the screams. He talked to the kids, monkeying all over the stage, waving to the audience. They were dressed in green and white cotton shirts, white levis, black socks and, except for Al Jardine’s white shoes, black shoes. Mike Love also wore a straw hat and a black vest over his untucked shirt.
They started with Surfin USA and sang most of their hits: Surfer Girl, Little Honda, Little Old Lady from Pasadena, Ronda and I Get Around. Mike Love sang two non-Beach Boys songs, Louie, Louie and Monster Mash. The screams lasted throughout the act. Cameras never stopped flashing. The stage was bombarded with notes, coins, program books and even a sweater. Mike threw the sweater back and the girl who caught it raced out with the best souvenir of the night…Dennis Wilson, the drummer, was flipping drumsticks into the audience. When they finished their last song, he threw them both into the audience and the group turned to run off stage. They were too late. The crowd of kids behind the stage had become a mob. It swarmed around the foot of the stage stairs, blocking the Beach Boys escape. Finally with the help of half of the 52 policemen holding off the crowd in front fighting to get on the platform, the other half pushed for space for the guys to pass. Each surrounded by police, they pushed into the exit.”
Saturday May 15, 1965
New Haven Arena, New Haven, CT-with the Long Island Sounds (8:00 PM Show)
This was probably Glen’s Campbell’s last appearance with the Beach Boys. The group headed to New York following this concert for what was supposed to be their second appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The group was prepared to perform their current single “Help Me Rhonda” and a version of “Graduation Day.” According to Ron Swallow, the group, including Brian, took part in rehearsals at the CBS studio but were informed by the producer at the last minute that they would have to be rescheduled because the show was running long. They did not appear on the show again until 1968.
Wednesday May 19, 1965
Canton Memorial Auditorium, Canton, OH-with Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, the Motions and Glen Campbell (7:30 PM Show)
Bruce Johnston joined the band onstage for the rest of the tour while Glen Campbell served as an opening act. Ron Swallow was given the opportunity to perform as Glen’s drummer during his set. Ron became so passionate about music that later, after leaving the Beach Boy’s employ in 1966, he formed a group that played at various clubs in California in the late 60s.
Thursday May 20, 1965
Sports Arena, Toledo, OH-with Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, the Vandaliers and Glen Campbell (8:15 PM Show)
The photo, one of the earliest I have found with Bruce in the lineup, shows the BBs being interviewed by Sylvania High School Reporter Linda Furney
Saturday May 21, 1965
Hara’s Sports Arena, Dayton, OH-with Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs and Glen Campbell (8:30 PM Show)
Sunday May 22, 1965
Victory Field, Indianapolis, IN-with Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs and Glen Campbell
Monday May 23, 1965
Cobo Arena, Detroit, MI-with Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs and Glen Campbell (7:30 PM Show)
Following this show, the Beach Boys returned home to record more vocals for the upcoming Summer Days (And Summer Nights!) album.
Friday May 28, 1965
Centennial Coliseum, Reno, NV-with Glen Campbell and Dick & Dee Dee
Saturday May 29, 1965
Lagoon, Farmington, UT-with Glen Campbell and Dick & Dee Dee (Two shows at 7:00 and 10:00 PM)
It would be interesting to have reviews or photos of these shows but up to now I have yet to find any of a single Lagoon show in the 1960s by the BBs. If anyone has any photos let me know!
Sunday May 30, 1965
Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, CO-with the Moonrakers, Glen Campbell and Dick & Dee Dee (8:00 PM Show)
Monday May 31, 1965
Municipal Auditorium, Oklahoma City, OK-with the Swinging Conner Family, Glen Campbell and Dick & Dee Dee (7:30 PM Show)
According to John Acord III of the Daily Oklahoman, “Signs were held up in the audience with the name of their favorite Beach Boy. Every time one of the favorites took a solo spot, there was a run to the stage with cameras clicking and flash attachments popping…The Beach Boys are a good group of entertainers…They sang several of their big record hits, such as ‘Surfer Girl’, ‘Shut Down’, ‘Help Me Rhonda’, ‘Johnny Be Good’, ‘Do You Want to Dance’ and a frantic version of ‘Little Old Lady From Pasadena.”
Friday July 2, 1965
Community Concourse Arena, San Diego, CA-with Sonny and Cher, Ian Whitcomb and Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs (8:30 PM Show)
Reviewer Steve Vivona of the Evening Tribune briefly commented, “The five Southern California dynamos were the kingpins to the 3,000 strong, there’s no doubt. They twanged out tunes like ‘Louie, Louie’ and ‘California Girls’ to the accompaniment of hysteria.”
Saturday July 3, 1965
Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA-with the Righteous Brothers, Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, Donna Loren, Ian Whitcomb, Dino, Desi and Billy, B.J. & The Prophets, Sonny and Cher, the Byrds, the Liverpool Five, the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Kinks (8:15 PM Show)
The group’s first hometown-show in almost a year was a huge event billed as “The Summer Spectacular” and attended by 15,000 people. It was important enough that Brian Wilson joined the group for what turned out to be his last full concert until August 1967. The KFWB Hitline reported, "The Ambassadors of Good Will for the Surf Set stepped onto the stage under an avalanche of almost everything imaginable. The lights went up and for the next twenty-five minutes the crowd was treated to some of the greatest hits of all time. 'Wendy,' 'Surfin Safari,' 'Surfer Girl,' 'In My Room,' 'Papa Oom-Mow-Mow,'...How great it was!" Mike Fessier Jr. of the fledgling LA Magazine, captured the scene that night as the group waited to go on: “They’ve been at this game three years but they’re still nervous. ‘You guys know your lyrics? Hey remember when we used to paste them on the back of something?’ Even now lead vocalist Mike Love has written in ink on the palm of his hand the order of songs they’ll sing. Brian Wilson, group leader and composer of most of their songs, is taut as a guitar string. His fingers tremble violently. Little Alan Jardine says something and Brian barks, ‘Shut Up.’ (But) The time has arrived and Irving Granz pushes them out towards the stage to meet the 15,000 people." Despite the high pressure of following such popular acts as the Byrds and the Kinks, the LA Times critic Charles Champlin and his teenage daughters agreed, “the Beach Boys seemed by all odds the most polished performers of the evening.”
Watching from backstage, teenager Billy Hinsche, of opening act Dino, Desi and Billy, recalled “it was a thrill to see the Beach Boys about to take the stage, dressed in their trademark striped-shirts and white pants, with Brian towering over everyone with his bass strapped on his shoulder. They sounded great live, a tight unit of instrumentation and harmonies-real professionals.” Hinsche (Born June 29, 1951 in Manila, the Philippines) was so impressed by the Beach Boys’ sound that he sought out Carl Wilson during rehearsals. The two hit it off and Billy was soon introduced to the rest of the band. Billy recalled that the Beach Boys “acted then as they acted throughout their lives and career, each individual portraying their own personalities. Dino, Desi and I were just young teenagers so we didn’t really pose a threat to them on any level so it was easy to talk with them.”
Sunday July 4, 1965
Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA-with the Kinks, Sonny and Cher, the Ronettes, Donna Loren, Ian Whitcomb, Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs, Drusalee and the Dead, the Emeralds with Linda Dawn, the Westwinds, the Decibels, and the Coachmen (4:00 PM Show)
This concert turned out to be a big disappointment for promoters. Only 3,500 fans attended. According to the KEWB newsletter, “The show took place on a Sunday afternoon. But not any Sunday afternoon, this was a national holiday. Further the show went on at four in the afternoon. The promoter, perhaps, should have known better. Traditionally, the 4th of July is a day for the family. And a hot, muggy mid-July afternoon is no time to ask people to trek to a show.” There was also backstage drama at this concert. The mercurial Kinks refused to play because the promoter couldn’t pay them up front. They waved to the audience and then left the building. The photo was taken the day before during the rehearsal for the Hollywood Bowl show.
Tuesday July 6, 1965
Canobie Lake Park, Salem, NH-with the Mar-Vels
The group flew to New Hampshire to begin their big summer tour. Richard Duryea, son of actor Dan Duryea, accompanied the group. Duryea had entered the picture in early 1965 as a partner for then manager Don Rice, but according to Ron Swallow, “Duryea didn’t get along with Don Rice and he quickly forced him out of the picture.” He would remain with the group until June 1969. Roy Hatfield and Ron Swallow also accompanied them
Wednesday July 7, 1965
Hampton Beach Casino, Hampton Beach, NH-with the Mar-Vels
Thursday July 8, 1965
Municipal Auditorium, Bangor, ME-with the Mar-Vels (8:00 PM Show)
This show was something of a disappointment, attracting only 3000 fans to the 8000 seat auditorium.
Friday July 9, 1965
Portland Exposition Building, Portland, ME-with the Mar-Vels and the Headlighters (8:00 PM Show)
The Beach Boys played to an audience of 6,500 people. Fred J. Karhl of The Press Herald reported, “The boys mixed their competitors songs among their own, rendering the Hondel’s ‘Little Honda’ amid wild cheers. Both Del Shannon’s ‘Little Runaway’ and the Kingsmen’s notorious ‘Louie, Louie’ were offered with an authenticity that brought equal raves from the floor. The early selections amidst the din were almost unintelligible to any but avid followers of the group. Among the ‘Boys’ own numbers were ‘Little Old Lady From Pasadena’, ‘Wendy’, ‘T-Bird’, ‘Surfer Girl’, ‘Rhonda’ and ‘I Get Around.’”
Reporter David Rogers talked with the group backstage. Carl, smoking a cigarette, noted, “There are so many things we want to do-obviously films-and we would also like to be a little more adventurous with some of our records but at present, I think things might be going too fast. Obviously, we want to have a well based successful career, rather than a brief, brilliant spell.” Asked about their European tour the previous year, he commented that he thought London was “the swingingest city under the sun. We went over to do a couple of television shows. The shows were marvelous and the fans almost pulled Dennis’s hair out!” Rogers noted that Brian missed the trip and that Bruce was filling in. In interviews in 1965, The Boys continued to pretend that he would soon be back on the road. Bruce stated “whenever one of the boys is ill or can’t play a show, I stand in. It’s great fun.”
Saturday July 10, 1965
Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ (Two shows at 7:30 and 9:30 PM)
The Beach Boys first appearance in Asbury Park was reviewed with disdain by Barry Robinson of the Asbury Park Press. He commented that “the Beach Boys resemble debris washed ashore during a hurricane. All of them appear to be in dire need of a haircut…their uniform of the day is skintight, white see-through pants topped off by blue and white striped shirts. Casual! Play it cool! Don’t look as though you dressed up for the show-no, indeed, let the people think you just dropped in off the beach with your electric twangies and your hopped-up amplifiers!” However, he admitted reluctantly that “as musicians and singers they aren’t bad. At least they aren’t much worse than most of their kind and their harmony is better than most.” Robinson’s review touched off a storm in the city and the paper was so deluged with complaints that devoted a section of the paper to them and Robinson was forced to make something of a rebuttal. Fans noted, “The Beach Boys hair is certainly not ‘in need of a haircut’. If Mr. Robinson would care to walk around Asbury Park, he would notice that practically all the boys are letting their hair grow!” Another fan commented, “Their attire, which consisted of white levis and striped shirts are the accepted clothes of this generation!”
Sunday July 11, 1965
Reading Fairgrounds, Reading PA (8:30 PM Show)
The Beach Boys were tentatively scheduled to play a show in Massachusetts on this night and I recorded that information in my book, however, I have since learned that they were actually in Reading that night. Seven other acts were on the bill, but I have not yet been able to discover more information.
Monday July 12, 1965
Dorton Arena, Raleigh, NC-with the Embers, the Unknown IV and the Inmates (8:00 PM Show)
The Beach Boys took an afternoon flight on Eastern Air Lines to Raleigh and were welcomed by a huge crowd at Raleigh Durham airport. After giving a live radio interview, they headed to their motel. Writing about the show that night, J. G. Ligon of the Raleigh News stated “Their performance was spiced with a little comedy by lead vocalist Mike Love, who emceed the show. Love ‘jerked’ and sang to the near hysterical girls who were hanging from the railing just to touch him. The blue jean clad group sang their odes to surfing, hot rods and California girls. Their hour long stand left the crowd cheering and singing the tunes after them.”
Tuesday July 13, 1965
Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC-with the Roemans, the Unknown IV and the Inmates (8:00 PM Show)
The Beach Boys enjoyed their stay in Greensboro. Earlier in the day they rented motorcycles and roared around town. The newspaper noted of the show that night, “Mike Love, the lead singer, had the audience in the palm of his hands from ‘Fun, Fun, Fun” to ‘Wendy.’ He had a little trouble with the sound system during ‘Surfer Girl,’ the first song ever recorded by the Beach Boys. The typical teenage label didn’t fit this audience of over 3000 local young men and women at the Coliseum last night.”
Wednesday July 14, 1965
Charlotte Coliseum-with the Roemans and the Galaxies (8:30 PM Show)
During the afternoon, Carl and Al were interviewed at their motel for WIST radio by two teen-age fans. Discussing the new, just released, Summer Days album, Carl stated that the “new album has something of a new sound, mostly instrumental, a little bit more ‘intellectual,’ a little bit older.” Members of the group, as well as friend and unofficial roadie Ron Swallow and road manager Dick Duryea also gave interviews to the local Charlotte News. Daredevil Dennis was all bandaged up and told the reporter, “I fell off a Honda and a doctor in Greensboro wrapped me up like a mummy!” The BBs had questions for the reporter as well: “What’s the big business in Charlotte? Where’s the Playboy Club? Where are the girls?”
Thursday July 15, 1965
Columbia Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC-with the Roemans and the Galaxies
Friday July 16, 1965
Memorial Auditorium, Chattanooga, TN-with the Vondels, Don Argo, Kris Jenson, Ronnie Bird and Billy Osborn and the Tracers (8:00 PM Show
About 1,500-people, mostly teenagers, turned out for the Beach Boys first concert in Chattanooga. Mike Butler of the Chattanooga News Free Press noted, "Lank-haired drummer Dennis Wilson seemed to draw the most attention and throughout the concert the shrill voices of girls surely no older than 13 could be heard shouting: 'Dennis, oh Dennis!' Dennis didn't seem to hear them and if he did he didn't care. Upon seeing the drummer, one of the few adults attending the show remarked: 'He may be long-haired but his music sure isn't.' ...Drummer Wilson stated that the Beach Boys wanted ultimately 'what everybody wants-millions of dollars. And it looks like we're gonna get it!'"
Saturday July 17, 1965
Memorial Auditorium, Greenville, SC-with the Galaxies (8:00 PM Show)
Sunday July 18, 1965
City Auditorium, Atlanta, GA-with Billy Jo Royal and the Roemans (3:00 PM Show)
Monday July 19, 1965
Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN-with the Searchers, the Zombies and Ray Lynn (8:15 PM Show)
Wednesday July 21, 1965
Civic Center Arena, Tulsa, OK-with the Rondells, Gene Simmons and the Uniques (8:30 PM Show)
Thursday July 22, 1965
Municipal Auditorium, Austin, TX-with the Rondells, the Uniques and the Five Americans (8:00 PM Show)
4, 500 people turned out for the Beach Boys first Austin concert. John Bustin of the Austin American Statesman was less than impressed by the group, commenting dismissively that “their few stabs at any kind of showmanship or humor are of a most elemental sort-possibly in keeping with the level of their fans-and about their biggest non-musical device was to have Mike Love, a thinning haired 23 year old front man unbutton his shirt (this got a great reaction) and do a monster takeoff.”
Friday July 23, 1965
Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, TX-with the Rondells, the Uniques and the Five Americans (8:00 PM Show)
Dressed in blue and white striped shirts and white slacks, the group played to a capacity crowd. According to Melody Crain of the Grand Prairie News, “the Beach Boys sang a medley of their hit-recordings, which included their new one ‘California Girls.’ The audience roared when Mike Love began singing the ‘Long Tall Texan.’”
Saturday July 24, 1965
Jacksonville Coliseum, Jacksonville, FL-with Lesley Gore, Del Shannon, the Shangri-Las, the Zombies, Del Reeves, the Searchers, Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs and the Premieres (Two shows at 5:00 and 9:00 PM)
The Beach Boys were interviewed backstage by the local paper. Carl answered most of the questions, while “fiddling around with his twelve-string Rickenbacker guitar.” Asked about the Four Freshmen and their influence on Brian, he commented, “You know, not often do you meet people in the top forty business that really like them a lot. Brian was influenced by them quite a bit. You know, cause when he was oh…12 or 13 to 16, he’d copy their arrangements. He’d make up his own but they were along their lines…We fellows loved harmony you know.” Asked about sports, he commented, “One thing you can do most all over the place is water ski. You know we love it. I love to water ski. And of course we’re all great football and baseball fans.”
Friday July 30, 1965
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, San Jose, CA-with Sonny and Cher, the We Five and the Preps (8:30 PM Show)
Saturday July 31, 1965
Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, CA-with Dino, Desi and Billy and Barbara Lewis (8:30 PM Show)
After meeting them at the Hollywood Bowl, Dino, Desi and Billy were invited to open for the Beach Boys at this show and the next night in Fresno. Billy Hinsche recalled, “It was amazing to be asked on that tour. I enjoyed watching Barbara Lewis sing and perform every night-I thought she had a great voice and her songs were wonderful. It was so exciting! I spent my time on the road with Carl mostly, hanging out in his room in Bakersfield and Fresno.”
Sunday August 1, 1965
Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, CA-with the Preps, Dino, Desi and Billy and Barbara Lewis (8:00 PM Show)
The set list for this show included “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Shutdown,” “Little Honda,” “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Papa Oom-Mow-Mow,” “Little Old Lady From Pasadena,” “Girl Don’t Tell Me,” “Hawaii,” “California Girls,” “Do You Wanna Dance,” “I Get Around” and “Wendy.” Reviewer Spencer Mastick of the Fresno Bee singled out “the dancing and other antics of lead singer Michael Love and the thumping good performance of drummer Dennis Wilson” for special praise, though he noted it was difficult to hear much of their performance over the screaming teenaged girls, who continually sought to gain the group’s attention. Indeed, as the show approached its conclusion, “Wadded up notes started bouncing off the performers, mostly off Love, and a glitter now and then indicated some of the girls were pulling off their rings and tossing them too. Through the tunes ‘I Get Around’ and ‘Little Wendy’, the policemen near the stage did a great job of keeping the girls in their seats and keeping down the barrage.”
Friday August 6 and Saturday August 7, 1965
Waikiki Shell, Honolulu, HI-with Dino, Desi and Billy and Barbara Lewis (8:00 PM Shows)
The Beach Boys flew to Honolulu on August 4 and were greeted at the airport by about 200 teenage fans. After signing autographs and talking to the press, the group settled in at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel. During their ten-day visit, they played two concerts at the Waikiki Shell. Billy Hinsche recalled that “Dino, Desi and I joined the Beach Boys onstage for the encore of ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and it was just incredible to be onstage with them, then run for the limos to make our escape from the screaming fans. It was so much fun and so exciting. It was just like the Beatle mania I had seen in the film A Hard Day’s Night, except it was Beach Boys’ mania.” Elvis Presley was also in Honolulu that week, filming scenes for his film, Paradise Hawaiian Style, but there is no evidence that the Beach Boys met him while there.
Friday August 20 and Saturday August 21, 1965
Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, CA-with Barbara Lewis, the Preps and Group “B” (8:30 PM Shows)
After their Hawaiian vacation, the group returned to the road for two nights in Sacramento. According to Sean O’Callaghan of KXOA, “the Beach Boys certainly put on a show. For nearly an hour, both nights, they filled the auditorium with so many Beach Boys hits it’s almost impossible to list them. Although some may have been disappointed at the absence of Brian Wilson, the show certainly did not suffer with the addition of Bruce Johnston.”
The day after these shows, Mike and Carl headed to Portland, Oregon. Steve Brown of radio station KISN arranged for them to meet John, Paul, George and Ringo backstage at the Portland Memorial Coliseum prior to the Beatles August 22 concert. Brown recalled that despite their wealth and success the musicians talked about “the same things that teenagers who didn’t have $5 in their pockets talked about-girls, cars and houses.”
Tuesday August 24, 1965
Sioux Falls Arena, Sioux Falls, SD-with the Original Stingrays and the Mustangs (8:00 PM Show)
Over 6,000 South Dakota teens turned out for the Beach Boys appearance in Sioux Falls. According to the Argus-Leader, “The crowd went into hysterics as each singer took his turn at quivering his knees or hips. There was unadulterated ecstasy over a song titled ‘Little Old Lady from Pasadena.’ Police got a small scare while the ‘Boys’ were singing ‘The Monster Mash.’ One of the group hopped off the stage and teenage girls in the lower northeast corner of the Arena immediately prepared to close in as they came to their feet screaming. The ‘Boy,’ meanwhile, skipped back on the stage with a swarming mass of bobbing heads left screeching in the bleachers.”
Wednesday August 25, 1965
Rosenblatt Stadium, Omaha, NE (8:00 PM Show)
The photo was taken in September at the Party Sessions, Ron Swallow can be glimpsed on the left.
Thursday August 26, 1965
Kentucky State Fairgrounds Stadium, Louisville, KY-with the Shangri-Las, Sir Douglas Quintet and the Keyes (8:30 PM Show)
Friday August 27, 1965
Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, OH-with Sir Douglas Quintet, Johnny and the Hurricanes and Dave Osborn’s Action Unlimited (8:30 PM Show)
The group’s third appearance in Cincinnati drew over 4,000 fans. The numbers performed included ‘California Girls’, ‘Little Honda’, ‘I Get Around’, ‘Help Me Rhonda’ and ‘Surfer Girl.’ According to Robert Demarr of the Enquirer, “The biggest delight for the screaming teen-agers was the drum solo by Dennis Wilson in ‘Do You Wanna Dance.’ The show ended with an uproar and more than a hundred outstretched hands when Wilson threw his drumsticks into the screaming crowd.”
Saturday August 28 and Sunday August 29, 1965
Arie Crown Theater, Chicago, IL-with Shadows of the Knight and Jonathan David & Albert (8:30 PM on Saturday and 7:00 PM on Sunday)
The Beach Boys played two sold out nights in Chicago. Richard Christiansen of the Chicago Daily News reported, “The Boys dressed in white loafers, white slacks and broadly striped sports shirts. They laugh among themselves, waves at girls in the audience and put on a fair show. Master of ceremonies is Mike Love, who dances the Monkey and delivers wise-cracks. Chief sex-symbol is Dennis Wilson, the drummer (said the girl behind me, ‘Oh, whatta hunk!’”
Monday August 30, 1965
Kellogg Auditorium, Battle Creek, MI-with Edwin Starr, Jackie Beavers and the Continentals, Bobby Holley, the Epics, the Deltons, the Keener Keymen of Music and teen contest winner Buzz Barclay
The Beach Boys played before a crowd of 2,441 people. Prior to the show they were interviewed backstage by some young fans. Asked if they had any new music in the works, Al stated, "We're working on a new LP-a party album." When asked if they planned to make any more movies, Al replied, "No the recording business keeps us too busy to have any plans like that now." When asked what was the hardest part of reaching the top, he answered, "Getting there and staying there required and still requires too much traveling." Mike was asked whether Brian wrote music and lyrics and answered, "Most of the time he does both, but we've doubled up on a few." He was then asked if any other members of the group wrote songs. He answered, "Well Al writes to Ann Landers, Carl writes to Dear Abby and Dennis writes home."
Wednesday September 1, 1965
Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA-with Peter & Gordon, the Shirelles, Tom Jones, the Turtles and Brian Hyland
Thursday September 2, 1965
Auditorium Theatre, Rochester, NY-with Dickey Lee, Sonny & Cher, Bobby Comstock and the Counts (Two shows at 6:30 and 9:00 PM)
Over 5,148 fans attended the two concerts in Rochester. The band played 15 songs, including “Surfer Girl,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Help Me Rhonda” and “California Girls.” The microphone went dead and one of the amplifiers broke during the performance, leading Al Jardine, who celebrated his twenty-third birthday that day, to call it “the most everything went wrong show we’ve ever done.” It mattered little, however, to the mostly teenage fans that screamed throughout.
Friday September 3, 1965
Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, NY-with Dickey Lee and Bobby Comstock and the Counts (8:30 PM Show)
An audience of 2,300 teenagers attended. Barbara Jones of the Utica Observer noted, “’Help Me Rhonda,’ ‘I Get Around,’ ‘Surfin’ USA,’ ‘Shut Down,’ and ‘Little Honda’ delighted the well behaved audience. Although noted for their vocal talents, the Beach Boys sound much better on wax than live. They lack spontaneous humor and concert chatter between numbers with their admirers. Mike Love, seemingly a favorite of the females for his attempt at humor and his frug and jerk dance steps, soloed on ‘Monster Mash.’ As he told his fans, ‘This is where my friends say I show my true personality.’ The number flopped as far as any audience reaction. Other Beach Boy members took the spotlight on ‘Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow’, ‘Little Old Lady from Pasadena’ and ‘Little Deuce Coupe.’ The most applause was saved for the artists’ latest record, ‘California Girls.’”
Saturday September 4, 1965
YM/YWCA Auditorium, Ottawa, ON, Canada-with Dickey Lee, J.B. and the Playboys, the Esquires, the Rythmics and Little Caesar and the Consuls
About 2,500 fans attended this show, a disappointing turnout considering that the Beach Boys had attracted over 5,000 on their previous visit in February. Dennis Foley of the Ottawa Citizen briefly noted, “The Beach Boys came on strong and cool, without any jiggling to buttress their numerous numbers, which included most of their hit records. The show’s windup got a little ugly when the hired guards clenched and waved their fists as the eager flocked front and center. It subsided quickly when the Beach Boys made a hasty exit just as a few in front were taking off their coats and watches. This was fortunate as there were some pretty big boys in that crowd.”
Sunday September 5, 1965
Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, ON, Canada-with Sonny and Cher, J.B. and the Playboys, the Big Town Boys and Little Caesar and the Consuls
The Beach Boys played 15 numbers including “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Wendy,” “Then I Kissed Her,” “Do You Wanna Dance,” “California Girls,” “Little Honda” and “Monster Mash.” The Toronto Star reported that the 9,500 fans at the show raised such a din that the music could barely be heard.
Friday September 10 and Saturday September 11, 1965
Lagoon, Farmington, UT-with the Runaways (One show at 9:00 PM on Friday and two shows at 7:00 and 9:30 PM on Saturday)
The Beach Boys flew to Salt Lake City on Thursday and were given the keys to the city by Commissioner Joe L. Christensen. The group remained phenomenally popular in the area and played three shows in two days to satisfy demand. Amongst the crowd who greeted the group at the airport upon their return to California was Billy Hinsche’s sister, Annie, who was introduced to Carl and soon became his steady girlfriend.
Friday September 17, 1965
Civic Center, Baltimore, MD-with the Strangeloves, the McCoys and the Uptowns (8:30 PM Show)
Saturday September 18, 1965
Convention Hall, Philadelphia, PA-with Tony Troy (8:00 PM Show)
About 3,500 fans attended this show and, according to the reviewer, “there were signs painted on bed sheets hanging all over the hall. They said things like ‘Cherry Hill Girls Welcome the Beach Boys’ and ‘We Wish You Could All Be Philadelphia Boys.’”
Sunday September 19, 1965
National Guard Armory, Washington, DC- with the El Corals and Little Wimpy and the New Bedford Set (8:00 PM Show)
As part of a concert promotion, Bruce gave away a Honda motorcycle to a lucky fan during this show. According to the Evening Star, “the five-some clowned and sang everything from ‘California Girls’ to Mike Love’s version of ‘Monster Mash’ and rocked the DC Armory. The boys with the surfer sound were mobbed by teenagers who threw questions and pieces of paper at them for autographs during a before the show party in the third floor conference room.”
Friday September 24, 1965
Exhibition Forum, Vancouver, BC, Canada-with Charlie Rich, the Castaways and the Chessmen (8:30 PM Show)
Saturday September 25, 1965
Memorial Coliseum, Portland, OR-with the Tempests and the Viceroys (8:00 PM Show)
Over 7,000 fans attended this show. During the six week hiatus that followed this concert the group recorded a new single “The Little Girl I Once Knew,” and taped television appearances on the Andy Williams Show and the Jack Benny Show.
Sunday November 14, 1965
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY-with Alan King, Frankie Laine, Johnny Carson, Red Buttons, Joe E Lewis, Shari Lewis, Bobby Vinton, Robert Vaughn, Anthony Newley, Mia Farrow, Carol Baker, the Supremes, Joan Crawford, Henry Fonda, Ed Sullivan, Peter Falk, Duke Ellington, Sammy Davis Jr. and others (8:00 PM Show)
This concert was a star-studded USO Benefit show, which included Anthony Newley singing ‘What Kind of Fool am I’, a Johnny Carson monologue and a Bobby Vinton medley. The Beach Boys made a brief appearance singing a few songs with the Hullabaloo dancers and the Supremes closed the show with a five-song set. As revealed in a 1966 Tiger Beat interview, Carl proposed to his girlfriend Annie Hinsche over the phone following this show, after only two months of dating! The photo of Brian and Mike appears to be from the autumn of 1965 but I have not determined the date it was taken.
Thursday November 18, 1965
Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN-with the Gentrys, the Strangeloves and the Castaways (7:30 PM Show)
This was the first of four dates the Beach Boys played with the Gentrys, riding the charts with their hit “Keep On Dancing.” Dick Duryea, Roy Hatfield, promoter Irving Granz and Steve Korthof accompanied the group. The group played before 2,500-fans in Rochester. Linda Muggli of the Rochester Post-Bulletin noted, "The youthful audience-there were a few oldsters in their 20s too-couldn't get enough of the surfing sounds of the Beach Boys-Fun Fun Fun, Honda, California Girls and I Get Around....The Beach Boys introduced a new song at the performance "The Little Girl I Once Knew,' besides giving the audience some songs made popular by other singers-You've Got to Hide Your Love Away by the Beatles ('the first slow song ever belted out by the Beach Boys') and Johnny B. Goode. When the five toured the Orient in January they'll sing these same songs-'they know us and the songs over there,' said Carl. The swinging teens in the Arena Thursday knew them too. They applauded wildly after-and during-every number."
Friday November 19, 1965
Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, MN-with the Gentrys, the Strangeloves and the Castaways (8:30 PM Show)
Saturday November 20, 1965
Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, MO-with the Gentrys and the Strangeloves (8:30 PM Show)
Jack Lloyd, then an employee of Irving Granz, was asked to fly to Kansas City to handle the production of this concert while Granz returned home for personal reasons. Lloyd would accompany the Beach Boys on a number of later tours, joining their American Productions Company in April 1968. According to Lloyd, Audree Wilson and Dennis’ wife Carole had just flown in for a visit. Audree remained with the group for the rest of the tour.
Sunday November 21, 1965
Kiel Opera House, St Louis, MO-with the Gentrys and the Strangeloves (7:30 PM Show)
A fan that attended a Beach Boys show on this tour complained to Teen Magazine about that “long unkempt hair on Mike’s face.” Mike told Earl Leaf, “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to grow a beard. Since I’m the oldest Beach Boy, I thought I had a father image and it wouldn’t matter to the fans. I decided to grow the nice warm face rug when we were touring the icy cold Midwest, East Coast and Canada last winter.” Mike promised to shave it off but, other than the summer 1966 tour, it would become a permanent look until the 1980s.
Tuesday November 23, 1965
Curry Hicks Cage, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA-with the Prince Spaghetti Minstrels, the Boss Tweeds and the Bold (8:30 PM Show)
This show was a benefit for the JFK Fund with profits used to build a library. It marked the group’s first appearance before a college audience. The Beach Boys were well received and more university appearances were booked for 1966. The band was growing tired of the high school kids who grabbed their hair and screamed non-stop at shows. Carl was particularly impressed by the college show and told a reporter a few months later that, “This audience can be wonderful-so quiet. If it’s quiet at a regular date, that’s disaster.”
Wednesday November 24, 1965
Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, RI-with Teddy and the Pandas, Cheryl-Ann and the Pilgrims (8:00 PM Show)
According to Steve Gilkenson of the Providence Journal, the Beach Boys female fans started screaming at the beginning of this show and never letup, making it virtually impossible to hear anything. “The impression we get is that just being in the same room with the Beach Boys was well worth the price and certainly something to scream about. Their program, for those who might be interested, included ‘Little Honda,’ ‘Surfin’ USA,’ ‘Then I Kissed Her,’ and ‘Surfer Girl.’” The photo shows the BBs with opening act Teddy and the Pandas.
Thursday, November 25, 1965
New Haven Arena, New Haven, CT
The photograph was taken on the set of the Andy Williams Show in October 1965 (the footage aired in May 1966). The Beach Boys posed in those outfits at the opening of the show but performed later in striped shirts
Friday November 26, 1965
Boston Garden, Boston, MA (8:00 PM Show)
The Beach Boys played their new single “The Little Girl I Once Knew” to a capacity crowd in Boston. Bruce McCabe of the Boston Sunday Advertiser noted, “The Beach Boys were embarrassingly late-they didn’t take the stage for over an hour and a half after the concert’s starting time-and one of their guitar strings was loose. It took upwards of five numbers to get it tightened to the proper pitch. But you wouldn’t have noticed, really, and no one did. Not with Mike Love, the big bearded one, and the only one sans instrument, doing that floppy, elbow hanging shuffle back and forth, waving happily to the squeals. Or with Dennis Wilson, the baby faced drummer and darling of the crowd, doing his solo (‘Hide Your Love Your Away,’ for which he need not, as far as I’m concerned, apologize to the Beatles), whacking his thigh with a tambourine.”
Following the show, reporter Linda McVeigh interviewed Dennis in the group’s suite at the Sheraton Hotel. She was given exclusive access to the band because she had attended Hawthorne High with the Wilsons. Her article provides an interesting snapshot of the Beach Boys on the road in 1965. McVeigh commented that “relaxing in their suite at the Sheraton Boston…they looked like what we at Hawthorne High used to think of as rich kids-the ones from Beverly Hills who drove Peugeots and Porsches to little coffee houses on Sunset Boulevard after football-games. We drove 54 Fords to the Wich Stand.” She noted that Dennis, dressed “like an expensively tailored cowboy,” sat in the hotel living room with his mother Audree while “hangers-on” waited on him (refilling buckets of ice and taking care of room service) and “unidentified girls” sat nearby saying nothing. Dennis commented “We’ve got the bread and we live that way.” In a reversal of their later image, McVeigh reported that during the interview Carl sat on a bed in the other room nursing a gin and tonic, while Dennis drank only 7-Up. He offered McVeigh a Coke with a sheepish apology and explained that he didn’t drink because “I can’t afford to. With everything that’s wrong with me, I’d be dead in a year.” She felt that he seemed “somewhat vengeful towards the people in Hawthorne who snickered at the group. ‘I like showing them that we’ve got a lot of cash…When I visit my mother there, I drive my Ferrari down Hawthorne Boulevard, go home, drive the Cobra along the same street, and do the same thing with the Aston-Martin and my brother’s old T-Bird!”
Friday December 3, 1965
Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, TX
I was unaware of this concert when I published my book.
Saturday December 4, 1965
Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque, NM-with Lindy & the Lavells, the Viscounts and the Defiants (8:30 PM Show)
The Beach Boys gave an interview to a teenager named Linda Lefton, assigned by the Albuquerque Tribune to review the show. The show took place on Dennis’s 21 birthday, but he informed the reporter that he was turning 25! Linda asked Carl if he ever got stage fright and he replied, “No! It’s Fun!” When she asked where their older brother was, Carl told her that Brian was home writing an album.
Wednesday December 29, 1965
Circle Star Theater, San Carlos, CA-with Jackie Lee, Mitch Ryder, the T-Bones (8:30 PM Show)
Dennis Wilson played drums at this show with a bandaged hand (Mike claimed it was from 'a shotgun blast', but according to the San Mateo Times, he still stole the show. “They received the most enthusiasm when Dennis Wilson sang ‘You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away’ and ‘Do You Wanna Dance.’ After their last song, the entire house marched down upon the Beach Boys.”
Thursday December 30, 1965
Oakland Auditorium, Oakland-with the Turtles, Mitch Ryder and Detroit Wheels, Jackie Lee and the T Bones (8:00 PM Show)
4,000 screaming teenage fans braved a torrential downpour to see the Beach Boys at the Oakland Auditorium. Bernie Hughes of the Oakland Tribune reported, “The Boys did ‘Surfing U.S.A,’ ‘Little Honda,’ ‘California Girls,’ ‘Surfer Girl’ and their newest hit, ‘Barbara Ann.’ The screamers in the audience went wildest during Dennis Wilson’s ‘Hide Your Love Away,’ in which he imitated Beatle John Lennon-and those who know about these things claim he does it perfectly…When Mike Love, the only bearded member, winked at the darkened crowd, the worshippers gave their all. They knew the Beach Boys by name and now and then a piercing voice from the balcony would yell out ‘Dennyyyyy!’ Denny would gaze up, keep on singing and the screaming would begin anew.”
Friday December 31, 1965
UPS Field House, Tacoma, WA-with Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The Yardbirds, The Beau Brummels, The Vegetables, Alexys and The Mojo Men (8:00 PM Show)
Discussing this New Year’s Eve show, Bruce Johnston related to writer Richard Green that “we had ten thousand people in the audience and at the end they all got up and rushed the stage. I thought it was all over. We got out of there fast. It was frightening.” Bruce also recalled that the Yardbirds, with lead guitarist Jeff Beck, were one of the support acts at this show and at the subsequent show in Seattle. On one of the two nights, “Their amplifiers had blown up, so we lent them our equipment. Dennis plays drums so he doesn’t understand equipment and Mike just sings, so he doesn’t understand what’s going on with amps either. Jeff Beck turns his guitar towards the amps to get feedback and Dennis and Mike were going to pull the plugs out. They thought the Yardbirds were harming the equipment. I had to stop them and explain what was happening. They were getting really mad.”
