Beach Boys Trivia Quiz

Answer: Surfin

If most of you chose "Surfin' " spelled this way, you would have been right had I chosen Capitol's "Surfin' Safari" LP with "Surfin' " on side of the LP. However on Candix, "Surfin" was the original spelling in the USA. In Canada it was spelled "Surfin' " with the apostrophe on its' single.
According to USA Billboard's Pop 100 Survey "Surfin" charted number 75 in March 1962.

Answer: London

For those of you who changed their answer after seeing the spelling of "Surfin'" this way, Shame on you! It just so happens I own this very rare single on London of Canada (M 17224) and that's how it was spelled here in Canada. And as is the case with most Canadian releases that have a different label than the USA version, the Canadian issue gives credit of the USA release on its' label.

In this case Candix 301.

Answer: Teen Set

This was Capitol Records idea of starting up its' own mag by plugging their own artists and what better way to get the word out by targeting the teen market with photos and articles of upcoming and potentially popular groups. Even though the Beatles did have some articles, the Beach Boys were the primary focus between '64-'66 with other lesser known Capitol artists getting publicised. The Beatles had a myriad of teen publications including "Datebook" which started its' first publication with nothing but the Beatles. So "Teen Set" primary goal was to promote the other groups in Capitol's catalogue not as fortunate as the Beatles.
The publication under the Teen Set name lasted until March '69
This is the way it was done before the internet to those who can't remember when.

Answer: Bruce Morgan

Bruce Morgan is the son of Hite Morgan and wrote "Luau" in '61 an instrumental for the Beach Boys. It was released on the Candix label as the B side.

Answer: Judy Lovejoy

If you picked Marilyn, she had not met Brian Wilson yet in '62. Judy Lovejoy was the current girlfriend of Brian at the time so he used her on "County Fair".

Answer: Stoked

If you picked "The Rockin' Surfer", that's a traditional tune arranged by Brian but not written by him. "Boogie Woodie" is a remake of a Rimsky-Korsakov classical piece which Brian hurriedly used as filler for the LP. "Stoked" was Brian's first written surf instrumental on the "Surfin' USA" LP.

Answer: Dante and His Friends

Well if you had picked Dante and the Evergreens, you would have been half-right, as this was the original name of the group back in '59 through '61. But by the time they recorded this song on Imperial in early '62, they were called Dante and His Friends. Herb Alpert and Vincent Catalano wrote this tune and the group was introduced to Herb Alpert by Dean Torrence(Jan & Dean) who was a classmate of one of the members.
Don "Dante" Drowty lead vocalist of the Evergreens should not be confused with Ron Dante who was a session vocalist and responsible for the Archies success.

Answer: Beach Boy Stomp

Carl's first effort was "Beach Boy Stomp" before the Boys signed with Capitol Records. "Surf Jam" was his second effort on the "Surfin' USA" LP

Answer: Mike Love

Even if Mike Love could not write a melody, he'd have you believe his catchy hooks and clever lyrics were responsible for the Beach Boys success. Never mind the fact he practically sabotaged the "Smile" project and questioned every lyric he could not understand from Van Dyke Parks.

But I'm digressing, the fact that Mikey could take someone else's melody and rewrite the lyrics shows his talent at work, does it not.

Answer: James Dean

YEP, The one and only James Dean, cleverly put together by the one and only Mike Love. Ingenuous was he not. Not.