Beach Boys reunite for new album, world tour

CBC News

Posted: Dec 19, 2011 10:03 AM ET

Last Updated: Dec 19, 2011 2:17 PM ET

Mike Love, left, and Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys perform in New York in 2006. After working with his cousin Brian Wilson recently, fellow founding band member Love agreed to a reunion. (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

The Beach Boys are reuniting for the group's 50th anniversary, with the California rockers slated to take the stage at the Grammy Awards in February.

Founding members Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine said late Friday on their website that they will reunite for a new album and a 50-date worldwide tour.

"This anniversary is special to me because I miss the boys, and it will be a thrill for me to make a new record and be on stage with them again," Wilson said in a statement.

The reunion will include Bruce Johnston and David Marks, who joined the band later. Original members Carl and Dennis Wilson, brothers to Brian, have since died.

Brian Wilson, seen in Los Angeles in 2008, and his fellow Beach Boys are set to reunite, release a new album and embark on a 50-date world tour. (Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

The iconic 1960s-era quintet helped create and popularize the sunny, West Coast classic rock sound with influential albums such as Pet Sounds and many ubiquitous hit songs, including Good Vibrations, California Girls, I Get Around and Surfin' USA.

However, chief songwriter Wilson suffered from mental-health problems and drug abuse that ultimately caused him to withdraw from the band. A feud developed between cousins Wilson and Love that forced the group apart, while legal battles between different members also caused bad blood.

However, all sides appear to have softened their stances over the years and have briefly reunited to mark anniversaries and team up on recordings.

When working together again recently, Wilson noted that "music has been the unifying and harmonizing fact of life in our family since childhood. It has been a huge blessing that we have been able to share with the world. Wouldn't It Be Nice to Do It Again?" Love recounted, making reference to another two Beach Boys hits.

His response: "Absolutely."

Following the Grammy gig in February, the Beach Boys will kick off a globe-trotting tour with a performance at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 27.

With files from The Associated Press

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