TICKETS TORN IN HALF:September 1,1977 The Beach Boys/Ricci Martin@The Great Lawn in Central Park

This is my fourth BEACH BOYS show and today we have Brian Wilson on the GREAT LAWN in front of an estimated crowd of150,000. During my walk around the perimeter I was greeted by a few guys from THE DICTATORS (Top Ten and Ross The Boss) who called me over to say hello.Every body loves THE BEACH BOYS.The GREAT LAWN was scattered with coolers, blankets,and picnic baskets. The sweet aroma of marijuana spiced the air, and it was only noon. I had a few beers in the hot sun and got ready for RICCI MARTIN who hit the stage about 12:30. The crowd of mostly 20 to 30 plus years old was receptive but not overwhelmed.Then, THE BEACH BOYS hit the stage about 1:30 and played a ninety minute set. Frisbees and beach balls abound.The sound system sucked.But BRIAN WILSON (the eternal teenager) was there, seated at a piano looking quite uncomfortable, in the midst of 17 musicians on the stage. While I enjoy early BEACH BOYS songs it was the Smile, Surf’s Up, etc stuff I wanted to hear and with an ensemble this large I thought for sure we were in for that kind of BEACH BOYS show. Unfortunately, The BEACH BOYS are also the biggest nostalgia band of that time and that’s what this crowd wanted and got.

CALIFORNIA GIRLS

DARLIN’

SLOOP JOHN B (BRIAN SINGS)

LITTLE DEUCE COUPE

IN MY ROOM

SAIL ON SAILOR

CALIFORNIA SAGA

AIRPLANE

BACK HOME

SURFER GIRL

LADY LYNDA

CATCH A WAVE

BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL

HONKIN’ DOWN THE HIGHWAY

IT’S OKAY

LOVE IS A WOMAN

ROLLER SKATING CHILD

EVERYONE’S IN LOVE WITH YOU

FEEL FLOWS

HEROES AND VILLIANS

HELP ME RHONDA

WOULDN’T IT BE NICE

I GET AROUND

GOOD VIBRATIONS

SURFIN USA

FUN,FUN,FUN