Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21019 in DVD
• Brand: Beach
• Released on: 2003-03-25
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Full Screen, Live, Widescreen, Dolby, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Dubbed in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 70 minutes

Amazon.com
It's entertaining, nostalgic, even poignant... not much more one could ask for from a Beach Boys concert. This 70-minute concert was the last time the complete group (brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine, Mike Love, and Bruce Johnston, plus backing musicians) would appear in the U.K., performing a mix of oldies ("California Girls," "Help Me Rhonda," "Fun, Fun, Fun," etc.) and some newer material. And if the show itself is somewhat pedestrian, it's still marvelous to see the three Wilsons together onstage, especially in view of the subsequent deaths of Dennis (in '83) and Carl (in '98), and Brian's eventual triumphant recovery from mental and emotional problems. To hear Carl sing so beautifully on "God Only Knows," or Dennis play drums with such power and emotion, or Brian, vacant but game, contribute a few lines to "Surfer Girl"... well, it might just bring a tear to your eye. --Sam Graham

From the back cover
The Beach Boys live in concert at Knebworth Park, Hertfordshire on 21st June 1980 was a memorable occasion in more ways than one. Most important of all, it was the last time all six Beach Boys--Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Alan Jardine, and Bruce Johnston--would appear together, singing and playing, on a UK stage. This DVD Video is a fabulous souvenir for all the people that were there and also those who wish they, too, could have experienced that historic Beach Boys tour with all six members in the UK for the last time. Various clips have been shown before, but now you can experience the Beach Boys' performance for yourself in one sitting.

Customer Reviews

Bringing Back Memories
After watching this DVD, I was kind of wondering which DVD many of the reviewers were watching. First off, Dennis looked fine. He was having a blast playing drums and joking with Mike Meros through most of the concert. Yeah, Brian looked bad, but he did back then. Anyone who saw these guys in concert from 76 on would know Brian wasn't much of a presence on stage. His vocals were pretty bad as well. That was normal. Every now and then he would surprise people, but you couldn't see a Beach Boys concert at that time and expect a lot from Brian. The rest of the guys and supporting cast did what they did, . . . they put on a good show. Unlike concerts from a few years earlier, they had already begun shortening the show, and doing more top 40 music. I miss the days when they would do Marcella, Long Promised Road, Funky Pretty and others in their live shows and play for 90 to 120 minutes. Not to mention, while the vocals are great, I miss the more rock oriented shows. The stage is fairly small compared to a lot of the shows they put on in the states, so the guys tended to stand around. So Mike isn't allowed to prance like he used to do. They all appeared in good spirits, although now and then looking like they were going through the motions. There was not a 'fight' between Carl and Mike. In those days, it was not unusual for these guys to bow together, and Mike missed his spot. This is also consistent with Carl's problems with the boys lack of rehearsal time before shows. And during Surfer Girl, it's Dennis moving closer to Mike, and Mike seems a little hesitant. First off, the rift between the two is legendary, but it also appears as though the music pushes all that aside during the shows. Of course, Dennis was also known to play pranks on Mike 'on stage' so Mike could be hesitant because of that. But it hardly takes away from the song, although the song is far too rushed, which again is something they began doing around 1980.

Favorite songs from this set had to be "I Get Around," and "Keepin' the Summer Alive."

Overall, I enjoyed this, but also realized why shortly after Dennis died I stopped attending Beach Boy concerts. They were transforming into a Las Vegas act. It is interesting to see some of the little things going on, on stage, such as Carl keeping an eye on Brian; Dennis kissing Brian on the back of the head; Al asking Brian if he's okay right before, I think "Barbara Ann." I also wonder about the sign that Brian could read from his piano which reads: "Don't Panic."

Mainly I am amazed at how easy these guys made it look, but saddened that they did not take advantage of the arsenal of songs they could have played to make the show longer. These guys are legends, and we get to see elements of that, but for me, the writing was on the wall. Accept this DVD for what it is, a glimpse of what was truly an endless summer, where you can go to that nearest faraway place, and let your heart be filled with spring.

Great bit of Beach Boy history
1980 was the Beach Boys just a little bit past their "post-Endless-Summer" touring prime which is generally considered to be 1975-1977. The good news is that Dennis Wilson is back on tour with big brother Brian as well. Dennis was about to enter a downward spiral at this point and Brian was coming out of one (he would relapse but eventually come clean). Dennis Wilson is the primary reason to watch this DVD. He drums (bashes is more like it), sings, and plays a little piano. He also does what he did best...antagonize Mike Love on stage! There are some genuine moments between the Wilson brothers as well. The DTS mix is great. Carl Wilson was the musical leader of the group at this point and it really shows. I've seen pretty much all the BB VHS/DVD stuff there is and this one ranks right up there.

With a Little Help From The Studio
First off, nobody loves the Beach Boys more than I do. I grew up with thier music. As a musician, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Brian Wilson for what he taught me about harmony. I've seen dozens of their shows, some awful, some incredible. And in 1983, a famous band I was in was their opening act for 3 weeks, so I got to hang with them and hear them every night. Live performances are generally never quite up to par with studio performances, and as a performing musician, producer, and engineer, I understand that. It's nearly impossible to achieve on stage amongst the roar of amplifiers and monitors what can be done in the studio where there is a totally controlled environment - and the ability to repair any mistakes. "Good Timin'" is indeed a live performance, but it has been enhanced or 'sweetened' back in the recording studio before being released. The backround harmonies have been supplemented by overdubs, if not all replaced completely. A trained ear will hear the double-tracking of parts - commonplace in any studio recording. It just makes everything sound "fatter". This is nothing new. The Eagles have done this on all their live recordings, as have Fleetwood Mac and plenty of other vocal groups. Some groups, like the Bee Gees, will even run pre-recorded tracks at their live shows to recreate the lush wall of voices that characterize their studio recordings. Personally, I like hearing the rough edges and rawness of a true live recording. The Beach Boys made the best harmony records of anybody, so we know they can sing. I don't mind hearing a missed part or flat note here & there. I wish they'd just mixed "Good Timin'" the way it was. The real beauty here is seeing The Boys all playing together for the very last time.