Beach Boys, the

US pop group. Known for their vocal-harmony surf music, their first hit was ‘Surfin' USA’ (1963); this was followed by ‘I Get Around’ (1964), and ‘California Girls’ (1965). Their albums include the complex and influential Pet Sounds (1966).

The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1961 by the brothers Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson. Initially their output consisted of straightforward pop music, but the compositions, arrangements, and production by Brian Wilson became increasingly inventive under the influence of psychedelic rock, particularly in the single ‘Good Vibrations’ (1966).