The Beach Boys Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. In what year was The Beach Boys formed in Hawthorne, California?
A. 1959
B. 1961
C. 1963
D. 1965
Answer: B. 1961
Q2. Who were the three Wilson brothers who formed the core of The Beach Boys’ original lineup?
A. Brian, Carl, and Dennis
B. Brian, Dennis, and Mike
C. Carl, Dennis, and Al
D. Brian, Mike, and Carl
Answer: A. Brian, Carl, and Dennis
Q3. What was the original name of The Beach Boys before they were renamed by their record label?
A. The Surfers
B. The Pendletones
C. The Wilsons
D. Carl and the Passions
Answer: B. The Pendletones
Q4. Who served as the initial manager of The Beach Boys and was the father of the Wilson brothers?
A. Mike Love
B. Gary Usher
C. Murry Wilson
D. Al Jardine
Answer: C. Murry Wilson
Q5. What was The Beach Boys’ first single, released in 1961, that achieved regional success?
A. Surfin’ U.S.A.
B. Surfin’
C. I Get Around
D. Fun, Fun, Fun
Answer: B. Surfin’
Q6. Which record label signed The Beach Boys to a seven-year deal in 1962, launching their national career?
A. Reprise Records
B. CBS Records
C. Capitol Records
D. Brother Records
Answer: C. Capitol Records
Q7. What was The Beach Boys’ debut album, released in 1962, featuring mostly original songs?
A. Surfin’ Safari
B. Surfer Girl
C. Surfin’ U.S.A.
D. Little Deuce Coupe
Answer: A. Surfin’ Safari
Q8. Who temporarily replaced Al Jardine in The Beach Boys’ lineup from 1962 to 1963?
A. Bruce Johnston
B. David Marks
C. Blondie Chaplin
D. Ricky Fataar
Answer: B. David Marks
Q9. Which 1963 single by The Beach Boys peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and borrowed its melody from Chuck Berry?
A. Surfer Girl
B. Help Me, Rhonda
C. Surfin’ U.S.A.
D. Barbara Ann
Answer: C. Surfin’ U.S.A.
Q10. What holiday single from The Beach Boys’ 1964 Christmas album reached No. 3 on the Billboard Christmas chart?
A. Little Saint Nick
B. The Man with All the Toys
C. Frosty the Snowman
D. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Answer: A. Little Saint Nick
Q11. Which 1964 single was The Beach Boys’ first to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100?
A. Fun, Fun, Fun
B. I Get Around
C. California Girls
D. Good Vibrations
Answer: B. I Get Around
Q12. What was The Beach Boys’ first live album, released in 1964, which topped the Billboard charts?
A. Beach Boys Concert
B. Beach Boys’ Party!
C. The Beach Boys in Concert
D. Live at Knebworth
Answer: A. Beach Boys Concert
Q13. In 1965, which musician joined The Beach Boys full-time after Brian Wilson stopped touring?
A. Glen Campbell
B. Bruce Johnston
C. Carl Wilson
D. Mike Love
Answer: B. Bruce Johnston
Q14. Which 1965 album marked a shift toward more sophisticated structures, dividing into upbeat and ballad sides?
A. Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)
B. Shut Down Volume 2
C. The Beach Boys Today!
D. All Summer Long
Answer: C. The Beach Boys Today!
Q15. What was The Beach Boys’ second No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, released in 1965?
A. California Girls
B. Help Me, Rhonda
C. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
D. God Only Knows
Answer: B. Help Me, Rhonda
Q16. Which unplugged-style album from 1965 featured covers and became a surprise hit with “Barbara Ann”?
A. Beach Boys’ Party!
B. Pet Sounds
C. Wild Honey
D. Friends
Answer: A. Beach Boys’ Party!
Q17. Released in 1966, which album is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time and inspired The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s?
A. Smiley Smile
B. Pet Sounds
C. Sunflower
D. Surf’s Up
Answer: B. Pet Sounds
Q18. Who collaborated with Brian Wilson as lyricist for the ambitious but shelved 1967 project Smile?
A. Mike Love
B. Tony Asher
C. Van Dyke Parks
D. Gary Usher
Answer: C. Van Dyke Parks
Q19. Which groundbreaking 1966 single by The Beach Boys was known for its innovative production and reached No. 1?
A. God Only Knows
B. Wouldn’t It Be Nice
C. Heroes and Villains
D. Good Vibrations
Answer: D. Good Vibrations
Q20. What 1967 album was hastily recorded as a substitute for the abandoned Smile project?
A. Wild Honey
B. Smiley Smile
C. Friends
D. 20/20
Answer: B. Smiley Smile
Q21. Which 1967 album marked a soul-influenced departure from their orchestral style?
A. Wild Honey
B. Pet Sounds
C. Surf’s Up
D. Holland
Answer: A. Wild Honey
Q22. Influenced by Transcendental Meditation, what 1968 album featured short, introspective tracks?
A. 20/20
B. Friends
C. Sunflower
D. Carl and the Passions – “So Tough”
Answer: B. Friends
Q23. In 1969, which album included outtakes from Smile and a rewritten song linked to Charles Manson?
A. 20/20
B. Sunflower
C. Surf’s Up
D. Holland
Answer: A. 20/20
Q24. Released in 1970 on Reprise Records, which critically acclaimed album featured contributions from all band members?
A. Surf’s Up
B. Sunflower
C. 15 Big Ones
D. The Beach Boys Love You
Answer: B. Sunflower
Q25. What tragic event befell Dennis Wilson, the band’s drummer, in 1983?
A. Drowning
B. Car accident
C. Cancer diagnosis
D. Heart attack
Answer: A. Drowning