Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The entire world is still mourning the monumental loss of Brian Wilson, though thankfully, there’s no better way to communally celebrate his legacy than seeing lifelong collaborator Al Jardine perform alongside The Pet Sounds Band.

Leave it to visionary concert promoter Ron Onesti to mount the first-ever official tributes in the area, which was as authoritative as it could be considering it featured a fellow co-founding guitarist/vocalist of The Beach Boys and the excellent musicians who backed the late great during his solo career, including the headliner’s son Matt Jardine.

The historic Arcada Theatre, located near Wilson’s former home in St. Charles, was perhaps the most fitting venue outside of California itself to catch Jardine and company not only revisit a hearty helping of timeless hits, but go deep into the vaults.

Part one began on the delightfully familiar notes of “California Girls,” “Do It Again,” “Surfer Girl,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Little Deuce Coupe” and “I Get Around,” gradually working in the less frequent likes of “Sweet Sunday Kind Of Love,” “Susie Cincinnati” and “She’s Got Rhythm.”

The second half took a fascinating twist, re-introducing rarities off the somewhat overlooked yet forward-thinking art pop album from 1977, “The Beach Boys Love You,” a drastic departure from commercial conventions that was a synthesizer-adorned precursor to new wave and indie rock.

“Let Us Go On This Way,” “Roller Skating Child,” “The Night Was So Young,” “Solar System,” “Honkin’ Down The Highway,” “Good Time,” “Ding Dang” and “Airplane” were just a few of the revolutionary remembrances seeming to come out of another galaxy, especially compared to the disco trends they surrounded.

Wilson was surely looking down from the musical heavens knowing these underdog selections eventually became embraced, plus he could probably hear the all ages audience adding to the wall of harmonies on stage during the regularly scheduled follow-ups “God Only Knows,” “Sloop John B,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “Good Vibrations.”

History kept unfolding as Jardine impressively replicated his very own lead on “Help Me, Rhonda,” then tackled “Barbara Ann,” “Surfin U.S.A.” and “Fun, Fun, Fun” to bring the more than two-hour salute to this fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer the sunniest end imaginable.

For additional information on Al Jardine And The Pet Sounds Band, visit AlJardine.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Arcada Theatre include Winger and Close Enemies featuring Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith (Aug. 29); Ultimate Elvis Experience (Aug. 30); The New Colony Six (Aug. 31); Bee Gees Gold and Forever Donna Summer (Sept. 4); Kashmir: The Music Of Led Zeppelin (Sept. 5); Doro and Vixen (Sept. 6); Free Fallin: The Tom Petty Concert Experience and Our House: A Tribute To Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Sept. 11); Cherry Poppin’ Daddies (Sept. 12); Blues Beatles (Sept. 13); Sincerely Sinatra Big Band Show (Sept. 14); Loverboy (Sept. 19); Leonid & Friends (Sept. 20); Debby Boone and special guest Pat Boone (Sept. 21); Country Royalty: A Salute To Hank Williams And Patsy Cline (Sept. 21); God Save The Queen (Sept. 24); Jefferson Starship (Sept. 25); Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy (Sept. 26); Michael Schenker (Sept. 27) and Cornerstones Of Rock: The Buckinghams, The Ides Of March, The New Colony Six and The Cryan’ Shames (Sept. 28). For additional details, visit ArcadaLive.com.

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