Credit: Mark London(NEW YORK) — It’s hailed as one of the most groundbreaking and influential albums in pop and rock music history. Fifty years ago last month, The Beach Boys released Pet Sounds. And tonight, Brian Wilson — the man who created, arranged and produced the album at just 23 years old – hits the road on a North American tour to celebrate it.
Wilson tells ABC Radio fans attending the shows will be treated to an authentic recreation of the complex record, played in its entirety. “We approximate the album almost letter perfect,” Wilson says. “It sounds just like the album itself.” He adds, “My band members are very good musicians.”
Among the classic tunes featured on Pet Sounds are “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Sloop John B” and “God Only Knows,” the latter of which Wilson says is his favorite song on the album.
Pet Sounds was so influential, The Beatles were inspired to create their 1967 masterpiece, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, after hearing it. Only fitting, since Wilson was inspired to create Pet Sounds after listening to the Beatles’ 1965 album, Rubber Soul.
The tour gets underway tonight in Brooklyn, New York and will stop in more than 50 North American cities by the time it winds down on October 15 in Sacramento, California.
Today also sees the release of a special 50th anniversary reissue of Pet Sounds, which will be available in various configurations, including an expansive Collector’s Edition featuring four CDs and a Blu-ray Audio disc.
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