15 Big Ones

Untitled

15 Big Ones is the twentieth studio album by The Beach Boys, released in 1976. 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. At one point during the recordings, it was decided that a double album was to be released: one album of oldies and another of original material. 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. One of the highlights of the special is a rendition of That Same Song with the Alexander Hamilton Double Rock Baptist Choir, where Brian looks to be more at ease than he really was. More at ease than the "Failure To Surf" comedy skit that enlisted the help of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as "surf cops".

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.

Album cover and art direction of the album and logo was done by Jim Evans

Track listing

1. "Rock And Roll Music" (Chuck Berry) – 2:29
   • Features Mike Love on lead vocals
2. "It's OK" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) – 2:12
   • Features Mike Love on lead vocals [w/ Dennis on the tag]
3. "Had to Phone Ya" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love/Diane Rovell) – 1:43
   • Features Mike Love, Al Jardine, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Brian Wilson on lead vocals
4. "Chapel of Love" (Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich/Phil Spector) – 2:34
   • Features Brian Wilson on lead vocals
5. "Everyone's in Love with You" (Mike Love) – 2:42
   • Features Mike Love on lead vocals
6. "Talk to Me" (J. Seneca) – 2:14
   • Features Carl Wilson on lead vocals
7. "That Same Song" (Brian Wilson/Mike Love) – 2:16
   • Features Brian Wilson on lead vocals
8. "TM Song" (Brian Wilson) – 1:34
   • Features Al Jardine on lead vocals, All group members featured on spoken intro
9. "Palisades Park" (C. Barris) – 2:27
   • Features Carl Wilson on lead vocals
10. "Susie Cincinnati" (Al Jardine) – 2:57
    • Features Al Jardine on lead vocals
11. "A Casual Look" (E. Wells) – 2:45
    • Features Mike Love and Al Jardine on lead vocals
12. "Blueberry Hill" (A. Lewis/L. Stock/V. Rose) – 3:01
    • Features Mike Love on lead vocals
13. "Back Home" (Brian Wilson/Bob Norberg) – 2:49
    • Features Brian Wilson on lead vocals
14. "In the Still of the Night" (F. Parris) – 3:03
    • Features Dennis Wilson on lead vocals
15. "Just Once in My Life" (Gerry Goffin/Carole King/Phil Spector) – 3:47
    • Features Carl Wilson and Brian Wilson on lead vocals

Singles

• "Rock And Roll Music" b/w "TM Song" (Brother 1354), 24 May 1976 US #5; UK #36
• "It's O.K." b/w "Had to Phone Ya" (Brother 1368), 9 August 1976 US #29
• "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 #8 in the US during a chart stay of 27 weeks. It reached #31 in the UK.

Sources

• 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.
• Allmusic.com

External links

• 15 Big Ones lyrics