“America’s band” The Beach Boys, guest guitarist John Stamos’ give Ravinia “Endless Summer Gold”

No matter how many times The Beach Boys come to Ravinia, it’s always a special occasion, not only because they always bring a generous helping of “Endless Summer Gold,” to quote the title of a greatest hits collection and the current tour, but because this has been “America’s band” for over sixty years.

As has been the case for quite awhile, the line-up is led by original front man/songwriter Mike Love, 83, and veteran keyboardist/Illinois native Bruce Johnston, 82, alongside a longtime backing band of family and friends, including special guest guitarist/drummer and actor extraordinaire John Stamos (“Full House,” “ER” and eons more).

In spite of the principals’ advancing age, the cast of rotating singers sounded exactly like The Beach Boys should on a colorful stage, featuring an overhead screen displaying all the sights of the season, which was mirrored inside the reserved seating pavilion, and even more so, those who spread out their picnic blankets on the lawn.

However, it was their everlasting, sun-soaked soundtrack that found all ages flocking to the Highland Park hangout to hear two acts’ worth of tunes about girls, cars, getaways and all around “Fun, Fun, Fun” in just as many hours.

The festivities began with an uninterrupted streak of “Do It Again,” “Surfin’ Safari,” “Catch A Wave,” “Hawaii” and “Don’t Back Down,” in addition to other similarly-themed standouts, such as a cover of the Ramones’ “Rockaway Beach,” “Surfin’ U.S.A.” and “Sum Sum Summer,” sung by Mike’s son Christian.

Of course his father had no trouble holding down the fort either, especially come “When I Grow Up (To Be A Man),” “Be True To Your School” and “Little Deuce Coupe,” prior to an intermission and preview of the band’s Disney+ documentary.

Upon their return, The Beach Boys saluted fellow co-founder Brian Wilson throughout “The Warmth Of The Sun,” Mike Love did the same for The Beatles’ George Harrison during the solo “Pisces Brothers,” while Stamos moved up to the microphone for the departed Dennis Wilson’s “Forever,” also in memory of his father and co-star/comic Bob Saget.

The “ex-teen idol” was in fact the group’s ace-in-the-hole oozing constant charisma, a million dollar smile, and most importantly, some serious chops considering he’s always been a musician, plus six-year-old son Billy may be following in those footsteps after a couple cameos.

And together as a unit, The Beach Boys were unstoppable thanks to a home stretch of smashes, including “God Only Knows” as a hat tip towards the late Carl Wilson, “Help Me, Rhonda,” “Barbara Ann,” “Good Vibrations” and “Kokomo,” their comeback from the 1980s, though no matter the decade of origin, this iconic songbook is utterly immortal.

For additional information on The Beach Boys and John Stamos, visit BeachBoysBand.net and JohnStamos.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Ravinia include Norah Jones and Mavis Staples (Jul. 14); Kodachrome: The Music Of Paul Simon (Jul. 19); Killer Queen (Jul. 27); Gipsy Kings (Jul. 31); Henry Mancini Centennial (Aug. 4); Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers (Aug. 7); Angélique Kidjo and Meshell Ndegeocello (Aug. 8); Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge (Aug. 11); Robert Glasper and J. Ivy (Aug. 14); “The Princess Bride” In Concert (Aug. 16); “Up” In Concert (Aug. 17); Gaelic Storm and The High Kings (Aug. 22); O.A.R. (Aug. 23); The Roots (Aug. 24); Samara Joy (Aug. 25); ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd (Aug. 29); The Voice Of Whitney Houston (Aug. 30); TLC and Shaggy (Aug. 31); Tom Jones (Sept. 7); Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit (Sept. 8) and Crowded House (Sept. 11). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.

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“America’s band” The Beach Boys, guest guitarist John Stamos’ give Ravinia “Endless Summer Gold”

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