The news that The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson died this week brought back memories of the band playing a free concert during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend in 2008.
That was an iteration of the Beach Boys minus Brian Wilson, but led by original member Mike Love and including longtime member Bruce Johnston.
The event, funded by an anonymous donor, featured an epic 43-song set including all the hits, from “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” to “Surfin’ USA,” and a bunch of covers.
The crowd was estimated to be over 12,000 people at Hunnewell Field and probably would have been larger if icky weather hadn’t led into the show.
Celebrations Committee Chairman Roy Switzler followed the Beach Boys to the stage and asked. “Did you have fun, fun, fun?” The answer was an emphatic “Yes!” and that was even before the nightcap fireworks began.
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Does anyone remember what the date was when the Tower of Power played at Wellesley College in the early 70’s?
We were there – so remember it
That was our first WWW and we couldn’t believe that THE Beach Boys were playing our new town! The best part was that everyone, toddlers to grandparents were dancing,
It really was FUN, FUN, FUN!
Some things I remember:
* Massive turnout and joy of the crowd
* My kids were wowed that I knew all the lyrics
* The extraordinary generosity of the anonymous Wellesley couple that paid for the concert
❤️💙❤️
Mike Love is a fake. He screwed over Brian Wilson. Brian was the real creative genius
We were there, as were our kids, and it was wonderful, very special Wellesley moment.