Beach Boys Historic Landmark

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Dedicated on May 20th, 2005, The Beach Boys Historic Landmark commemorates the site of the childhood home of the Wilson Brothers and the birthplace of a unique musical and cultural icon, and a worldwide sensation. Although the original Wilson home was demolished in the mid-1980s for the construction of the Century Freeway, California Landmark #1041 now stands to honor this place of great importance to post World War II California

The monument is located at 3701 W. 119th Street Hawthorne, California

[edit] Landmark Plaque Text

It was here in the home of parents Murry and Audree that Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson grew to manhood and developed their musical skills during Labor Day Weekend, 1961. They, with cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine gathered here to record a tape of their breakthrough song “Surfin.” This marked the birth of the rock group known worldwide as the Beach Boys and the beginning of an historic musical legacy that would change the recording industry. The music of the Wilsons broadcast to the world an image of California as a place of sun, surf and romance. Brian Wilson would become a legendary producer, arranger and songwriter.

[edit] Landmark Facts

The image face of the landmark was inspired by the album cover of "Surfer Girl." The current line up of the Beach Boys at that time was of Brian, Carl and Dennis, Mike Love and David Marks. Al Jardine, the group's original guitarist, would later rejoin the band soon before David's departure. It is because of this, there are six Beach Boys represented in the impression in respect of Brian, Dennis, Carl, Al, Mike and David.

Six 45 gold records circle the base of the landmark with the names of the six Beach Boys represented on the monument's image face.

Dick Clark and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are among some of the many people and organizations who wrote letters of support during the landmark application process.

The names of donors, Wilson friends and family members and the Beach Boys Landmark Committee can be found engraved in the monument bricks.

The application for status as a California State Historic Landmark was granted by the California State Historic Resources Commission in a unanimous vote on August 6, 2004 in Ontario, California.