Photo Credit: Larson Sutton

Last night in downtown Los Angeles the Grammy Museum hosted a conversation with founding member of The Beach Boys, Mike Love, moderated by music journalist and Brothers Records creative consultant Howie Edelson.

The pair discussed the iconic band’s innovative and fruitful 1972 era, which bore the albums Carl and the Passions – “So Tough” and Holland.  The event also included the public premiere of unreleased music from the upcoming release Sail On Sailor – 1972, a new box set celebrating the 50th anniversary of this era, and Sail On, an animated short film

Love spoke mainly of the colliding factors that led to this creatively unique moment in the group’s story, including new members- guitarist/bassist Blondie Chaplin and drummer Ricky Fataar- new management, the practice of meditation, the war in Vietnam and their personal and growing advocacy of environmental causes. Not to mention the rise of Carl Wilson as the band’s leader. “[The creative process] was more democratic,” said Love. 

Capitol Records/UMe will release Sail On Sailor – 1972 on Dec. 2. The new expansive multi-disc box set dives deep into the songwriting and recording sessions for Carl and the Passions – “So Tough” and Holland and also features an unreleased live concert recorded at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall on Thanksgiving, 1972. It is the first-ever release of a complete Beach Boys concert from this era with the original setlist. 

Read more about The Beach Boys’ new box set here.