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SUMMER CLOSES AT SENECA NIAGARA CASINO WITH FREE OUTDOOR BEACH BOYS CONCERT
Niagara Falls, NY, July 2004 - It wouldn't be summer in Western New York without a visit from the group that represents American fun and sun - The Beach Boys. See them free courtesy of Seneca Niagara Casino on Labor Day, Monday, September 6 at 4 p.m. outside the Casino in Lackey Plaza.
"You would be hard pressed to find anyone who didn't like and admire this truly talented group that will forever be associated with the sun, sea and surfing lifestyle of California," said Rickey L. Armstrong, President, Seneca Nation of Indians. "The Casino was pleased to bring the Thunder Falls Pow Wow to Niagara Falls for Independence Day and we are equally happy to close out the summer with The Beach Boys on Labor Day."
The original California surfer musicians, The Beach Boys, are one of the most successful and important American groups of the rock music era. The band originated in 1961 in Hawthorne, CA, with the three Wilson brothers: Brian (bass, piano, vocals), Dennis (drums, vocals) and Carl (guitar, vocals). Additional members were Mike Love (vocals), a Wilson cousin, and Al Jardine (guitar, vocals). From the beginning, the focus of the group's music was Brian Wilson, who had a terrific talent for creating mesmerizing vocal harmonies. The group went through a series of cringe-inducing names (including the Pendletones and Kenny and the Cadets) before being christened The Beach Boys by a local studio that had released their first single, "Surfin'" on the small Candix label.
The group signed with Capitol Records in 1962 and the hits came fast with Brian writing most of the songs. "Surfin' Safari," "Little Deuce Coupe," "I Get Around," "All Summer Long" and "Surfin' U.S.A." were feel-good anthems framing images of surf, sea and sand.
By December 1964, the band's hectic recording and touring schedule had taken its toll on the painfully shy and sensitive Brian. He had produced and arranged six albums in just over two years and he suffered a series of nervous breakdowns. He retired from performing live to concentrate on writing and recording. He was briefly replaced on tour by Glen Campbell and then permanently by Bruce Johnston. Some of Brian's creative highs included songs like "Help Me, Rhonda" and "Then I Kissed Her."
The simplicity of The Beach Boys early hits in which the thought "if everybody had a surfboard" was offered as a solution to all teenage problems, was replaced in later work by anguish, loss of innocence and wistful harmonies on tracks like "God Only Knows" and "Heroes And Villains." The band's new experimental and sophisticated approach, led by main songwriter Brian, resulted in "Today!" and "Summer Days."
In 1966, a masterpiece album, "Pet Sounds" influenced musical peers The Beatles (Paul McCartney calls it his favorite album of all time) and generations of future artists. Ironically, "Pet Sounds" was The Beach Boys' first commercial failure in the United States. Today it is hailed by critics and now commonly alternates with the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper" in polls naming the greatest rock album of all time. The Beach Boys released one more single in 1966, the number one classic "Good Vibrations." With pioneering use of overdubs and complex vocal arrangements, it was a landmark in pop music. However, it was to be their last big hit for years.
The Beach Boys experienced resurgence in 1974 when the compilation "Endless Summer" became a surprise hit. It reached number one, staying in the charts for over a year. The Beach Boys went back on the road, sans Brian Wilson, for a huge tour. A second compilation, "Spirit Of America," was almost as big as "Endless Summer."
In 1976, "15 Big Ones" was their first album in three years containing new material. It also included a hit cover version of Chuck Berry's "Rock And Roll Music." Their follow up, "The Beach Boys Love You," was reviewed as one of the group's best album in years. They released one more album on Capitol, 1979's "M.I.U. Album" and then moved to CBS, where they released the underwhelming "L.A. (Light Album)" and "Keepin' The Summer Alive."
In 1980, both Dennis and Carl left The Beach Boys for solo careers. Brian Wilson left in 1982. Dennis Wilson drowned in 1983 and his death brought The Beach Boys back together, even Brian now appeared on stage. They released one more CBS album in 1985, "The Beach Boys," which included a Top 40 hit, "Getcha Back." The Beach Boys instead concentrated on touring and the occasional single.
In 1988, Brian Wilson began his solo career with a critically hailed self-titled solo album. That same year The Beach Boys had their last hit, the number one "Kokomo" written for the movie "Cocktail." They continued to tour for much of the 1990s, although cancer sidelined Carl in 1997. Dennis Marks returned to the group for the first time since 1963. Carl died of cancer in 1998.
In 2002, realizing the lasting legacy of his music and in his best health in years, Brian Wilson decided to tour. He performed the "Pet Sounds" album in its entirety to critical acclaim, followed by a performance of the lost "Smile" album in 2003/04.
Earlier this year, "Sounds of Summer" album went platinum. On June 22, Rhino Records released Brian Wilson's "Getting' In Over My Head," The Beach Boys first studio album since 1998. The release features guest performances by Eric Clapton, Elton John and Paul McCartney.
Seneca Niagara Casino is New York State's first full-service casino featuring reel-spinning and video slot machines. Just a few blocks from world-famous Niagara Falls, the Casino is located at 310 Fourth Street. The 112,590 square feet gaming floor houses more than 3,200 slot machines and 97 table games. A separate smoke-free casino, Turtle Island, is also available to patrons along with the Poker Room and the high-stakes Blue Heron Room.
In addition to gaming, Seneca Niagara Casino offers several restaurants including Thunder Falls Buffet, Morrie's Place and The Western Door: A Seneca Steakhouse. The Bear's Den Showroom, a 443-seat showroom-style theater and Club 101, a unique music venue located in the heart of the gaming floor, provide live entertainment. Free parking is available to patrons through complimentary valet services, self-parking areas and a four-story garage with covered walkway. The Casino is owned and operated by The Seneca Nation of Indians.
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