Jon returns to Pet Reads to discuss his excellent and wide-ranging FAQs publication from 2011.
Subtitled 'All that's left to know about America's Band', it is a fantastic resource in the Beach Boys Library that all fans must own and learn from!
This interview was recorded prior to Brian's passing.
23 Jan 2026
The Real Beach Boy - Jon Stebbins
Ed chats with author Jon Stebbins to explore his terrific book 'The Real Beach Boy', easily the definitive biography of Dennis Wilson.
From wild surf adventures to musical brilliance and personal struggles, this episode uncovers the untold story of the Beach Boys’ most enigmatic member as well as Jon's links to Dennis.
3 May 2025
SMiLE - David Leaf Part 2
The second part of the terrific chat with David Leaf.
This episode's Pet Soundalike is Surf's Up as performed at the All Star Tribute to brian Wilson from 2001, on youtube as its not on streaming services to add to the playlist!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmR8a36x_MA&pp=ygUZc3VyZnMgdXAgYWxsIHN0YXIgdHJpYnV0ZQ%3D%3D (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmR8a36x_MA&pp=ygUZc3VyZnMgdXAgYWxsIHN0YXIgdHJpYnV0ZQ%3D%3D)
16 Apr 2025
SMiLE - David Leaf Part 1
David Leaf returns to Pet Reads to talk all about his superb oral history of SMiLE, which covers the 60s as well as the 2000s. Including interviews from all the main players in the story of the album, it's a must read for a new fan to the ultimate Brianistas!
9 Apr 2025
Smile - Domenic Priore Part 2
The second part of the great SMiLE chat with Domenic.
Do also check out his recently revived website for Dumb Angel, a real treasure trove!
https://dumbangelgazette.co.uk/ (https://dumbangelgazette.co.uk/)
11 Dec 2024
Smile - Domenic Priore - Part 1
We return to the infinitely fascinating world of Smile with part 1 of this chat with Domenic Priore, one of the pre-eminent voices on the subject.
22 Oct 2024
God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys & The California Myth - David Leaf - Part 2
Part two of the discussion with David Leaf about God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys and The California Myth.
This also features David's choice of Pet Soundalike!
16 Oct 2024
God Only Knows: The Story of Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys & The California Myth - David Leaf - Part 1
There are not many books in the Beach Boys library that have been as influential and celebrated as the various editions of the one that's episode's focus.
David Leaf joins Pet Reads to talk about God Only Knows, the 2022 update of the landmark 1978 release, The California Myth.
12 Oct 2023
Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys: The Complete Guide - Andrew Doe
This episode proved to be a showcase for this author's terrific knowledge and experience with the band. It was a delight to welcome Andrew Doe to talk about his thorough review of the band's output in his Complete Guide book, from 1997 and revised in 2004.
Hear Andrew's knowledge on the recordings as well as many of his links with leading names in the world of The Beach Boys!
Andrew's website: http://bellagio10452.com/index.html (http://bellagio10452.com/index.html)
Music: KejaR https://kejarmusic.com/
Artwork: Saar Mano https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/
4 Oct 2023
What They Heard: How The Beatles, Beach Boys & Bob Dylan Listened To Each Other & Changed Music Forever - Luke Meddings
This episode sees the expansion of The Beach Boys' world to include their contemporaries, as Ed talks to Luke Meddings about his tremendous 2021 study of how three 60s musical heavyweights influenced each other and the world.
In What They Heard, Luke plots chronologically each artist's releases to see how they drove each others creativity - it's a must read!
Music: KejaR https://kejarmusic.com/
Artwork: Saar Mano https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/
28 Sept 2023
Tired of California: The Beach Boys' Holland Revisited - Marc Schuster
The focus turns to what many deem their favourite album by the band in this episode, as Ed talks to Marc Schuster about his book all about the 'Holland' album.
Music: KejaR https://kejarmusic.com/
Artwork: Saar Mano https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/
20 Sept 2023
Smile - Luis Sanchez
This episode is an interesting discussion with Luis Sanchez about his book about the lost masterpiece that is Smile, which is released as part of the 33 1/3 series of music books.
We hear about the writing process, the reasons for choosing this album as the focal point, as well as Luis meeting one of the major players in the writing and recording!
Music: KejaR https://kejarmusic.com/
Artwork: Saar Mano https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/
7 Sept 2023
50 Sides of The Beach Boys - Mark Dillon
An entertaining talk through this superb book with its author Mark Dillon sees discussion of the interviewees, their song choices and an entertaining audio book version of this title, narrated by Mark himself!
Music: KejaR https://kejarmusic.com/ (https://kejarmusic.com/)
Artwork: Saar Mano https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/ (https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/)
30 Aug 2023
Wouldn't It Be Nice: Brian Wilson and the Making of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds - Chuck Granata
In this episode we hear about the creation of arguably the greatest album of all time from those who were there, via the terrifically interesting author of this week's book, Chuck Granata.
Chuck spoke with all the major players who were there alongside Brian in the creation, which leads to a superbly detailed and evocative prose all about this golden period in the recording career of the group.
Music: KejaR https://kejarmusic.com/ (https://kejarmusic.com/)
Artwork: Saar Mano https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/ (https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/)
23 Aug 2023
Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy - Jim Hirsch
This episode offers the first glimpse on paper into the Boys themselves, as Ed talks to Jim Hirsch about his collaboration with Mike Love for his 2016 memoir Good Vibrations!
Music: KejaR https://kejarmusic.com/ (https://kejarmusic.com/)
Artwork: Saar Mano https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/ (https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/)
16 Aug 2023
Becoming the Beach Boys - Jim Murphy (Part 2)
Part 2 of the discussion about Jim Murphy's Becoming the Beach Boys.
Jim's Becoming the Beach Boys Website: https://becomingthebeachboys.com/ (https://becomingthebeachboys.com/)
Music: KejaR https://kejarmusic.com/ (https://kejarmusic.com/)
Artwork: Saar Mano https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/ (https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/)
16 Aug 2023
Becoming the Beach Boys - Jim Murphy (Part 1)
Welcome to Pet Reads! This is the podcast that celebrates and explores the words written all about America's band, The Beach Boys.
We start at the start with episode 1, as Ed chats to Jim Murphy about his terrific account of the early years of the group. It proved a fascinating discussion that spans two parts, so make sure you start with part one!
Jim's Becoming the Beach Boys Website: https://becomingthebeachboys.com/ (https://becomingthebeachboys.com/)
Music: KejaR https://kejarmusic.com/ (https://kejarmusic.com/)
Artwork: Saar Mano https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/ (https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/)
11 Jul 2023
Pet Reads Trailer
The trailer for the brand new podcast that celebrates and explores the words written about America's band, The Beach Boys.
Music KejaR https://kejarmusic.com/ (https://kejarmusic.com/)
Artwork @saarmano (https://www.instagram.com/saarmano/) (on Instagram)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
3.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
42
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
31
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