California Music
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1974 in Los Angeles, United States |
| Founder | Bruce Johnston, Terry Melcher |
| Defunct | 1976 |
| Fate | Disbanded, reformed in 2021 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Bruce Johnston, Terry Melcher, Brian Wilson, Gary Usher, Curt Boettcher, Dean Torrence, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks |
| Products | Rock music singles and albums |
California Music was a rock supergroup from the United States, established in Los Angeles in 1974. Originally, it functioned as a flexible assembly of session musicians such as Bruce Johnston, Terry Melcher, Gary Usher, Curt Boettcher, Dean Torrence, and Brian Wilson. Between 1974 and 1976, the ensemble issued three singles on Equinox Records before ceasing activity. In 2021, the group reunited, featuring members of the Beach Boys alongside their offspring, and released their debut album, California Music Presents Add Some Music, through Omnivore Recordings.
Initial formation
The concept was launched by ex-Beach Boy Bruce Johnston together with Terry Melcher. Despite being under contract with Warner Bros. Records, Brian Wilson entered a side production agreement with Johnston and Melcher’s label, Equinox Records, in early 1975. This partnership aimed to develop the collective alongside collaborators Gary Usher and Curt Boettcher. According to biographer John Tobler, contributors included Johnston, Melcher, Wilson, Dean Torrence, and others connected to the Legendary Masked Surfers. Wilson received an unusually large $25,000 advance for producing, which due to his financial troubles was deposited into his wife Marilyn’s account.
Wilson took on co-production duties and lent his instrumental and vocal talents to California Music’s renditions of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" and "Jamaica Farewell". Melcher observed that Wilson stayed away from the control room, offering input without directly overseeing production—likely out of concern for criticism from peers. Melcher was reportedly alarmed by Wilson’s poor state during these sessions. Biographer Steven Gaines noted that Wilson ultimately declined to finish additional recordings.
Wilson recounted encountering Elvis Presley at RCA Victor Studio while recording "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," inviting Presley to listen. Presley allegedly dismissed the material without recognizing Wilson's identity.
Under his Warner Bros. contract, Wilson was obligated to dedicate significant effort to Beach Boys projects. Johnston remembered Wilson’s yearning for creative outlets beyond the Beach Boys. Nevertheless, at Marilyn Wilson’s urging, Brian was legally removed from California Music to concentrate on the Beach Boys, who regarded the side project as a distraction tied to his drug-related expenses. The $25,000 advance was redirected to Marilyn’s separate bank account.
Meanwhile, the Beach Boys experienced commercial success with their Endless Summer compilation and extensive touring without Brian, becoming a prominent live act in the U.S. According to Mike Love, Warner Bros. insisted on Brian’s full dedication to the band. After Wilson’s exit, California Music quickly disbanded. Subsequently, Boettcher collaborated with Johnston and the Beach Boys on their 1979 disco reinterpretation of "Here Comes the Night", featured on L.A. (Light Album), marking Johnston’s return to the group.
Reformation
In 2021, David Beard, who serves as editor and publisher of the Beach Boys fan publication Endless Summer Quarterly, spearheaded a revival of California Music. This renewed ensemble featured Johnston alongside Beach Boys members Mike Love, Al Jardine, and David Marks, as well as the next generation of band members: Carnie and Wendy Wilson (Brian Wilson’s daughters), Justyn Wilson (son of Carl Wilson), Christian, Hayleigh, Ambha Love, and Matt Jardine. Their inaugural album under this formation, California Music Presents Add Some Music, was launched through Omnivore Recordings on April 23, 2021. The updated version of “Add Some Music To Your Day” represented the first studio session uniting Love, Jardine, Johnston, and Marks since the conclusion of the 50th Reunion Tour in 2012.
Discography
Album
- California Music Presents Add Some Music (2021)
Singles
- "Don't Worry Baby" (b/w "Ten Years Harmony") (1974)
- "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" (b/w "Don't Worry Baby") (1975)
- "Jamaica Farewell" (b/w "California Music") (1976)
- "Add Some Music to Your Day" (2021)
See also
References
Citations
Bibliography