I remain a Beach Boys fan. I
first heard them in 1962 and was drawn to their melodic style and depiction of
the Californian lifestyle. We are a few miles away from Hawthorne, their
hometown, and the source of their early life experiences.
Looking over the beach, I can
imagine their generation getting to the beach at every opportunity to surf.
Each morning I take Ginn out early and looking down 43 Rd Avenue I see these
little dots bobbing in the water. Of course these are addicted surfers trying
to catch a wave.
There is only 1 surviving
Wilson brother, Brian. Carl died of cancer in the late nineties, Dennis drowned
while fishing prior. The price of genius is never zero and Brian’s magic with
writing, composing and engineering had a background of mental illness and the
brothers had an physically and mentally abusive Father. The other members, Al
Jardine and Mike Love survive. It is fair to say relationships between band
members were tumultuous; the music however remained groundbreaking.
I felt a need to drive to
Hawthorne High School where the Beach Boys cultivated their band. I have a few
photos to prove that I was there!
Later in the day we hosted
the Kent clan and I found out that Dan’s wife Susie had attended the same High
School, a fact I had never known!
Susie pictured here, pensive as she reflects on her time at Hawthorne.
The school now is fenced and recently has had
a history of gang violence. Nevertheless the playing field, the gym and the
football field were very evident and hopefully reflective of the Beach Boys
song….” Be true to your school”
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