The Beach Boys have been around for 50 years but are set to break new ground with a debut concert in Shanghai.

Founding member Mike Love leads the latest tour and says the demand for good music will always be a constant.

"I've always felt that the Beach Boys have been a sonic oasis. Music styles and performers can change, but we have always had the good fortune to have millions of fans who, if they want to hear a body of music (that) will make them feel good, they can always tune into our music," he says in an e-mail from the United States.

"Multiple generations within an entire family will collectively agree on the Beach Boys, which is very rare. The music connects generations together positively."

The founding members of the band were three brothers: Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, along with their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine.

Their debut album Surfin' Safari, spent 37 weeks on the Billboard chart, launching the group to international stardom.

The Wilson/Love songwriting partnership produced a string of huge hits. Their debut single Surfin' Safari peaked at No 14 in the US Billboard charts, becoming the first of many singles dedicated to the delights of surfing, fast cars, and young love.

The band's greatest strength was their unique five-part harmony singing, which was inspired by the barbershop music of their childhood.

"The love of recreating those harmonies every time we go on stage," is what helped the band to come back together after turbulence, conflicts, and changes, Love says.

After the band split and there were lawsuits among the members, in 2012, the Beach Boys celebrated its 50th anniversary with a tour and new album, That's Why God Made the Radio. The album debuted at No 3 in the US charts, achieving the group's highest placing in 37 years.

"We were invited to perform during the Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong, when the promoter heard this," Love says. "He asked if we would come to Shanghai and perform in the Mixing Room and Muse. We of course agreed since we have always wanted to perform in Chinese mainland."

The Shanghai concert will feature Mike Love and new members Bruce Johnston, Christian Love, Randell Kirsch, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill and Scott Totten.

"The Beach Boys are one of the greatest musical acts in history," says Michael Craig Enoch, general manager of the Mercedes-Benz Arena. "They are multi-platinum winning artists that have performed on stage for over 50 years, bringing the sound of a classic California summer to every corner of the Earth."

The Beach Boys' China performance will also be staged in Macao, ahead of the Shanghai concert.

zhangkun@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 03/17/2013 page15)