'' is a 1976 album by
The Beach Boys . It was their first studio album in three years and the first
Brian Wilson -produced album released by the band since ''
Pet Sounds '', ten years earlier.
In the fall of 1974, sessions were held at
Caribou Ranch studio (owned by
James William Guercio ) in Colorado and Brother Studio in Santa Monica for an album set to be released in early 1975. It was reported that Brian was actively involved in the proceedings but no release occurred. Many of the tapes were allegedly destroyed when the Caribou Ranch and its studio burned down, with only the tapes taken to Brother Studio surviving.
By 1975, The Beach Boys' ''
Endless Summer '' compilation was selling well and the band (without Wilson) was touring non-stop, making them the biggest live draw in the US.
At the end of January 1976, The Beach Boys were back in the studio, with Brian Wilson producing once again. He decided the band should do an "oldies" album, but brothers
Carl and
Dennis disagreed, feeling that an album of originals was far more ideal.
Mike Love and
Al Jardine reportedly wanted the album out as quickly as possible to take advantage of their resurgence of popularity. In the end, a compromise of both new originals and covers was decided upon, though Brian's younger brothers were displeased. Whatever the case, it was a radical shift from previous albums such as ''
Sunflower '' and ''
Holland ''.
With media coverage in high gear, The Beach Boys were given an NBC TV special heralding their return. The group also embarked on a large US tour, several of the performances included Brian. Although Dennis Wilson suggested calling the album ''Group Therapy'', and rejecting ''Pick Ya Up At 8'' (after the song "I Wanna Pick You Up") ''15 Big Ones'', was named for their fifteen years in the business and for the fact that it had the same number of tracks. It was released in late June, reaching #8 in the US and going gold. It was the most successful Beach Boys studio album in over ten years, though the critical reaction of the album was not strong.
#"
Rock And Roll Music " (
Chuck Berry ) – 2:29
- ''Features Mike Love on lead vocals''
#" Talk To Me " (J. Seneca song) (J. Seneca) – 2:14
- ''Features Carl Wilson on lead vocals''
#" That Same Song " (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) – 2:16
- ''Features Brian Wilson on lead vocals''
#" TM Song " (Brian Wilson) – 1:34
- ''Features Al Jardine on lead vocals, All group members featured on spoken intro''
#" Palisades Park " (C. Barris) – 2:27
- ''Features Al Jardine on lead vocals''
#" A Casual Look " (E. Wells) – 2:45
- ''Features Mike Love and Al Jardine on lead vocals''
#" Blueberry Hill " (A. Lewis/L. Stock/V. Rose) – 3:01
- ''Features Carl Wilson and Brian Wilson on lead vocals''
- "Rock And Roll Music" b/w "TM Song" (Brother 1354), 24 May 1976 ; '''UK #36'''
- "It's O.K." b/w "Had to Phone Ya" (Brother 1368), 9 August 1976
- "Everyone's In Love With You" b/w "Susie Cincinnati" (Brother 1375), 1 November 1976
''15 Big Ones'' is now paired on CD with ''
Love You ''.
''15 Big Ones'' (Brother/Reprise MS 2251) hit in the US during a chart stay of 27 weeks. It reached '''#31''' in the UK.
- ''Surf's Up: The Beach Boys On Record'' Brad Elliott
- ''15 Big Ones''/''Love You'' CD booklet notes, Dennis Diken and Peter Buck , c.2000.
- "The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and the Southern California Experience", Timothy White , c. 1994.
- "Wouldn't It Be Nice - My Own Story", Brian Wilson and Todd Gold, c. 1991.
- "Top Pop Singles 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
- "Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002.
- All Music Guide.com
