The Beach Boys expedition of word slinger Jon Stebbins

Beach Boys biographer Jon Stebbins exclusively holds court on the ’60s surf rock band’s “All Summer Long” record, seeing 50,000 salivating fans at the Day on the Green 1976 show, the first time the group disappointed him, meeting future subject Dennis Wilson near a frozen ice cream stand, and more. Seen here on July 28, 1967, Dennis plunges mid-air off a swing set at Zuma Beach in Malibu, California, while bearded older brother Brian Wilson anticipates how the landing may feel. It was notably the first time the Beach Boys invited photographers to shoot them after the legendary “SMiLE” album was controversially shelved — for 44 years. Image Credit: Capitol Records

Spearheaded by Brian Wilson back at the helm, the Beach Boys temporarily enjoyed a long-awaited artistic renaissance in 2012 with That’s Why God Made the Radio, their first album of all original material since the pretty dire, Mike Love-sanctioned Summer in Paradise 20 years previously. The title cut of Radio, awash in strong harmonies and tasteful retro sunshine pop, was unleashed as the debut single, charted Top 30 Adult Contemporary, and was chosen the 30th best song of the year by Rolling Stone.

Although self-taught, open-handed, untamed rock drummer Dennis Wilson and baby brother, lead guitarist, and calming studio wiz Carl were long since deceased, the group conquered 73 sold-out amphitheaters and festivals worldwide before frontman Mike Love controversially quashed the 50th Reunion Tour in a letter sent to The LA Times.

Wordsmith Jon Stebbins has admired America’s Band going back to 1963 when he was a five-year-old kid coming of age in the East San Francisco Bay Area. Hearing “Surfin’ Safari” and “Surfin’ USA” excitedly roar out of his big sister’s AM radio speakers transfixed the future Beach Boys chronicler, accountable for penning Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy, The Lost Beach Boy: The True Story of Beach Boy David Marks, The Beach Boys FAQ: All That’s Left to Know About America’s Band, and The Beach Boys in…