The Beach Boys are one of the most iconic boy groups of all time. Formed in 1961, the group is still performing, despite the fact that some members have changed over the years. Here, we present our list of 15 things you probably didn’t know about The Beach Boys. Check out part one below, and stay tuned for part two, coming soon!
Number Fifteen: Dennis Wilson Was Related to His Sixth Wife. The drummer married the illegitimate daughter of Mike Love, who was both his band-mate and his cousin.
Number Fourteen: They Had an Interesting Connection to George Benson. Brian Wilson’s psychotherapist was named Dr. Eugene Landy. Interestingly, Landy managed jazz guitarist George Benson for a brief period of time. Speaking of Eugene Landy…
Number Thirteen: Brian Wilson Once Pursued Psychotherapy From Richard Simmons. As an alternative to Dr. Eugene Landy, Wilson thought Richard Simmons, being the diet and exercise guru he was at the time, was an acceptable choice.
Number Twelve: Dennis Wilson Lived With Charles Manson. For a brief period of time in 1968, Wilson lived with Charles Manson and company in his Sunset Boulevard home. They lived together for spring and summer that year.
Number Eleven: They Recorded With Manson. The Beach Boys actually recorded Manson’s song, “Cease to Exist,” on the B-side of their single, “Bluebirds Over the Mountain.” They recorded the song as “Never Learn Not to Love,” and it was recorded in 1968. The original lyrics of the song are quite morbid.
Number Ten: Two Members Had to Get a Restraining Order Against Each Other. At one time, Mike Love and Dennis Wilson were so at odds with each other that they both had to get a mutual restraining order. The two have a long and troubled history together.
Number Nine: Brian’s Girlfriend Claimed She Was Framed for Cocaine Possession. Wilson’s girlfriend, who was African-American, claimed that his bandmates had had the drugs planted in her bags as a result of them being unaccepting of her relationship with Wilson. She ended up pleading no contest to the charges of cocaine possession against her. Stay tuned for part two, coming soon!