They are one of the best-selling bands of all times and, in terms of longevity, they are difficult to surpass.
And one of the two current leaders has revealed his roots lie firmly in Co Armagh!
The Beach Boys need no introduction, having been around since 1961; they have sold over 100 million records with a string of hits such as ‘Good Vibrations’, ‘California Girls’ and ‘I Get Around’.
And get around they do, as tomorrow (Saturday), they will play to a packed SSE Arena in Belfast before moving on to Dublin on Sunday.
Alongsside Jeffrey Foskett, Brian Eichenburger, Tim Bonhomme, John Cowsill and Scott Totten, the band’s legacy continues with Mike Love and Bruce Johnston at the helm.
And for the latter – the 74-year-old keyboard player, who joined the Beach Boys an incredible 52 years ago -it will be something of a homecoming, as he has spoken proudly of his local heritage.
“My people are from Markethill,” he told the News Letter, ahead of tomorrow’s show. “So many people left Ireland and came to America back in the 1800s.
“My grandparents met in America but they were both from Markethill.
“The surnames of my people who came over to America were Johnston, Robinson and Greer.”
Bruce Johnston has visited Northern Ireland on a number of occasions, but a hectic touring schedule has meant he has never been able to visit Markethill.
Time may be tight again, but who knows? Keep your eyes peeled…
Saturday’s show gets underway at 8pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm.
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