LibGuides: American Studies- 20th Century Resources: Beach Boys

A Second Wave: The Beach Boys visit "Full House"

John Stamos Biography

If You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos
Call Number: B Stamos

ISBN: 9781250890979

Publication Date: 2023-10-24

New York Times Bestseller "...I love him, and I respect him, and I need him. We all do." --from the foreword by Jamie Lee Curtis If you would have told a young John Stamos flipping burgers at his dad's fast-food joint that one day he'd be a household name and that, at the height of his success, he'd be living alone, divorced, with no kids, high on a cocktail of forgetting, he might've asked, "You want fries with that?" John burst onto the scene in General Hospital, propelling him into the teen idol stratosphere, a place that's often a point of no return. But Stamos beat the odds and over the past four decades has proved himself to be one of his generation's most successful and beloved actors. Whether showing off his comedic chops on Full House or his dramatic skills on ER, pushing the boundaries on Broadway or living out his youthful dreams as an honorary Beach Boy, John has surprised everyone, most of all himself. A universal story about friendship, love, loss, and the courage to embrace love once more, John Stamos's memoir is filled with some of the most memorable names in Hollywood, both old and new. Funny, deeply poignant, and brutally honest, If You Would Have Told Me is a portrait of a boy who went from believing in Disney magic to a man who learns that we have to create our own magical moments in life.

Who Were the Beach Boys?

The Beach Boys is a group that originated in Hawthorne California in 1961. The group comprised of three brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl. The two other members were cousin Mike Love and school mate Al Jardine. The group is known for their sophisticated harmonies and arrangements. Their ability to capture the "California Sound", Love, and Fun was unmatched. Additionally, they were very credentialed and made work that stood the test of time. "Pet Sounds" was voted no. 2 on Rolling Stones "500 Best Album List."

The Main Group

Brian Wilson- June 20, 1942 – June 11, 2025- Brian was the de facto leader of the group and the oldest of the three Wilson Brothers. Music helped him to see positivity in his world. Through his music, he gave others kindness and hope. He conceptualized "Pet Sounds" and gained respect from the group and instrumentalists. It was a laborious, purposeful, and fun project to work on and for the audiences to listen to. The Beatles cite Brian's Wilson's creativity and this project as one of their inspirations for their project "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Pet Sounds was not renowned immediately but now is critically acclaimed. He never gave up on the music.

Dennis Wilson-December 4, 1944 – December 28, 1983 -Dennis was the middle child of the Wilson brothers. Even though Brian was older, Dennis was known to stick up for his brother. He was very protective of Brian and always acknowledged his talent. Dennis was the true surfer of the group and was welcomed into that tight-knit community. He was also an avid car racer. Dennis's lifestyle gave credence to their early hits that were light hearted and high frequency. He also became a producer in his own right.

Carl Wilson-December 21, 1946 – February 6, 1998 - Carl was the youngest of the three brothers. He was an excellent guitarist who had a very credible voice. Brian Wilson gave some of his most memorable songs to Carl to sing for this very reason. For example, Carl sings lead on "God Only Knows" and "Good Vibrations."

Al Jardine-September 3, 1942- Al was a school mate that got along with the three brothers. Most often his outside perspective would bring a calm energy to the group. Al Jardine noticed Brian's excellent production skills. In fact, Al Jardine asked if the group could do a cover of "Sloop John B." This turned out to be a great idea.

Mike Love- March 15, 1941- Mike is the cousin of the Wilson brothers. Mike is a lyricist and singer in his own right. The Wilsons and Mike Love would hone their skills at family gatherings. While he had some creative differences with Brian, one could argue his way aided in the longevity of the group. For example, he helped create "Kokomo" in 1988, which was very popular. He is great friends with John Stamos who opened up an audience for T.V. viewers who watched "General Hospital" and "Full House." Millennials learned to appreciate the Beach Boys through these mediums.