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The harmonies, the rivalries, the innovations, and, of course, the surfing all get their due in the new trailer the upcoming documentary on the Beach Boys, premiering May 24 on Disney+.
The new clip hits many of the major defining beats of the Beach Boys story: The band’s deep family lore, the way they embodied and helped create the 20th century California dream, the creative competitiveness with the Beatles, and the discord that often lurked beneath some of the most beautiful pop music ever made (like when Brian Wilson’s dad, Murry, infamously sold the band’s publishing). Additionally, the trailer teases interviews with Janelle Monáe, Ryan Tedder, Don Was, as well as the plethora of archival footage that’ll be featured in the film.
The Beach Boys was directed by Frank Marshall and Thom Zimny, and will feature new interviews with surviving members Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks, and Bruce Johnston. There will also be contributions from former band members Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar, as well as archival interviews with late Beach Boys Carl and Dennis Wilson (who died in 1998 and 1983, respectively).
The new documentary is part of a big retrospective moment for the Beach Boys, following the publication of their first official book, The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys, earlier this month. The new tome traces the band’s history from their beginnings and singing to Capitol Records through their famous 1980 Independence Day concert at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
It also includes interviews with the surviving members of the band, plus lyric and chord sheets, concert photographs, handwritten notes, studio docs, and other ephemera. Plus, the book features contributions from avowed Beach Boys fans like Thom Yorke, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Carly Simon, and more.