The Beach Boys and The Beatles: A Mutual Influence Beyond Pet Sounds

While the mutual influence of The Beach Boys and The Beatles is well-documented, particularly in terms of Pet Sounds inspiring The Beatles Sgt. Peppers, discussions often overlook how The Beach Boys reacted to The Beatles' White Album. By the time The Beatles' iconic White Album was released in November 1968, The Beach Boys, especially Brian Wilson, had largely given up trying to keep pace with the Fab Four.

Evolution of The Beach Boys' Sound

After the psychedelic period of 1966–1967, when many bands released fantastical and acid-induced work, The Beach Boys were among the first to revert to a more straightforward sound. This period saw the release of albums like Smiley Smile, Wild Honey, and Friends. These albums, released before the White Album, showcased their return to basic, low-fi production. Also noteworthy was their 1968 UK tour, which highlighted their musical prowess and the support of live performances.

The Live Performance Aspect

Contrary to their studio albums, The Beach Boys' live performances in 1967 didn't work well, as evidenced by their withdrawal from the Monterey Pop Festival line-up. However, by the end of 1968, they were on top form with their London performances. The album Live in London is considered one of the greatest concert albums of all time.

Collaborations and Tributes

The mutual admiration between the two bands was more than just mutual inspiration. The Beatles sometimes emulated or covered songs by The Beach Boys. Notable instances include "Girl Don't Tell Me", their cover of "I Should've Known Better", and "You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away". Additionally, Paul McCartney, aware of Brian Wilson's production skills, collaborated on "A Friend Like You" in 2004, with Ringo Starr even making live appearances with the band in 1984 and performing on "California Dreaming" in 1985.

The White Album: An Inspiration or a Model?

Some speculate that The Beach Boys' 1969 album 20/20 might have been inspired by The White Album. However, there is no concrete evidence of how the Beach Boys specifically reacted to the album. Mike Love reportedly suggested lyrics to Paul for the song "the Ukraine girls really knock me out..." in 1968. Similarly, Wild Honey, released in 1967, could be seen as a precursor to the stripped-down sound of 1968, but it's debatable if it was a direct influence on The White Album's sound. Like The White Album, 20/20 was a mix of various recordings, leading to its hodge-podge nature.

Conclusion

Despite the lack of direct critique or reaction from The Beach Boys to The White Album, it's clear that The Beatles and The Beach Boys maintained a bond of respect and admiration. The mutual influence and similar stylistic moves, as seen in the hodge-podge of both The White Album and 20/20, can be seen as a testament to their shared musical journey and experimentation.