In 1961, the brothers Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson—along with their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine—recorded a demo of “Surfin’,” a poppy record meant to reflect the carefree, sunbaked lifestyle of Southern California in the 60s. The lyrics were jovial, the message was simple (“We’re goin’ surfin’, surfin’”), and the harmonies were sublime. A moderate hit, “Surfin’” presaged the massive rise of the band in the ensuing years; Pet Sounds, released in 1966, is one of the most innovative and influential albums of all time. Today, the Beach Boys are carved on the Mount Rushmore of popular rock music, and the reclusive brother Brian—who has long struggled with mental illness—is regarded as a musical genius. In collaboration with original band members still living (Dennis died in 1983; Carl, in 1998), the 2024 documentary The Beach Boys surveys the rise of the legendary band, and features previously unseen footage and new interviews. —Jack Sullivan