Breaking the Band

S01E07 The Beach Boys

In the 1960s, the Beach Boys emerged as the quintessential soundtrack for American youth, producing iconic tracks like "Surfin' USA" and "Good Vibrations." While the three brothers and their cousin appeared to embody a joyful family on stage, the reality was starkly different. Lead singer and songwriter Brian Wilson struggled with mental health issues and the trauma of an abusive upbringing. Meanwhile, Dennis, grappling with addiction, embodied a life of excess, and Mike Love's relentless pursuit of profit often clashed with the band's artistic vision. Their two-decade journey was marked by mental breakdowns and tumultuous conflicts, overshadowing their legacy as one of music's greatest bands.