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The first time I saw a Beach Boys bootleg album, I thought, “Who in the world approved this cover art?” Many Beach Boys album covers have a distinct vibe, especially from the 1970s onward, but this inconspicuous orange album just felt off. So, I decided to pass on it. It turns out it wasn’t an official pressing but a fan release of Adult/Child, an unreleased Beach Boys album and fan favorite. To this day, I still regret not buying it. Beach Boys bootlegs are hard to find in brick-and-mortar stores, but they’re surprisingly abundant if you know where to look online.
WHAT’S THE HYPE?
There’s a common misconception that Brian Wilson, the leader of the Beach Boys, spent the 1970s lying in bed doing absolutely nothing. While it’s true he did spend a few years confined to his bedroom, the elder Wilson brother also made some of his most personal music during this time.
However, ambitious music doesn’t always translate to sales. The Beach Boys were highly aware of their diminishing popularity and tried their best to make it back to the top of the charts. Additionally, differing band members had unique takes on which direction the group should take, ultimately leading to a lot of shelved music, much to the fans’ disappointment.
These days, Beach Boy’s bootleg albums often compile music from this period. The most popular bootleg album currently is, without a doubt, Adult/Child. It was a 1977 album prepared mostly by the Wilson brothers (with some sparse collaborations from Mike Love and Al Jardine), including many songs and lyrics written by Brian Wilson. While some scraps from Adult/Child have been recycled in other albums, a large portion of it remains unreleased to the public. Fans have had Adult/Child recordings since the early ‘80s, leading to many fan presses, like the one I once encountered in the wild.
Bootlegs aren’t limited to this era. Numerous recordings from the early ’60s were unreleased for many years, only to be compiled by fans. Additionally, some concerts have yet to have an official live album release. These concerts have also been bootlegged onto CDs and vinyl.
THE BEACH BOY BOOTLEG MARKET
The first big Beach Boys’ album to be shelved was Smile, a 1967 album meant to be a follow-up to Pet Sounds and perhaps one of their most ambitious musical projects. For almost five decades, Smile was the most sought-after Beach Boys’ bootleg album. It was finally released in 2011 as Smile Sessions, a reconstruction of Brian Wilson’s magnum opus with the original recordings. While the official release was a commercial success and provided plenty of goodies for collectors, it significantly impacted the sales of bootleg Smile copies. Nowadays, they’re also a lot harder to come across, as the official Smile Sessions is now widely available.
Recently, the Beach Boys estate has shifted its focus to preserving its legacy. For fans, this has meant an abundance of commemorative compilations of previously unreleased music. The release of Feel Flows—expanded sessions of the Sunflower (1970) and Surf’s Up (1971) albums—unveiled a treasure trove of unreleased music, thrilling fans and collectors alike. While fans were excited, the release led to a drop in sales for bootleg compilations that featured these songs, often under the title Landlocked.
If this trend continues, in 2027, we may see the first official release of some Adult/Child songs. However, it’s all up in the air. Although I believe we should remain optimistic for an official set, I’m also excited about the future of Beach Boys bootleg albums, as I don’t think they’re going anywhere.
LO-FI LOVERS
When Smile Sessions was released, many criticized the album for its awkward remixes. You have to consider that most of this music was recorded in mono—as Brian Wilson preferred—and the new versions are largely in stereo. Ten years later, even the more recent compilation sets by the Beach Boys are plagued by bad decisions. At times, it’s clear that they’re trying to differentiate the music from the bootleg versions, but the changes can feel forced.
However, many fans grew to love the bootlegged versions, often because of their lo-fi quality and the unique alternate mixes they offer. These traits are a big draw for Beach Boys’ bootleg albums today and why some collectors are willing to pay a premium. It’s not just about owning a piece of music history—it’s also about hearing the music in the way they prefer it.
BOOTLEG AESTHETICS
Yes, the first time I saw a bootleg version of Adult/Child, I was appalled by its cover. However, years later, it’s definitely grown on me. Beach Boys’ bootleg albums are varied. Some vinyl presses are surprisingly high-quality. However, others are a lot more amateurish. But to some, that’s the charm—it feels punk, even.
The bootleg albums are also filled with cheeky references. For example, many claim to have been pressed by Brothers Records, the label created by the Beach Boys. Others may claim to be released by Sea of Tunes, the music publisher owned by Brian Wilson and his father, Murry, in the band’s early days. Many records also credit the songs to Carl and the Passions or the Pendletones—both early names used by the Beach Boys before they reached fame.
Bootlegs rarely try to be deceitful. However, for casual fans, seeing these names might be puzzling. Luckily, most bootleg albums also have amusing liner notes, letting the buyer know not to take the pressing too seriously. It’s cute and a big plus for some of us.
WHERE TO FIND THE BOOTLEG ALBUMS?
Finding Beach Boys’ bootleg albums can be a bit of a treasure hunt. I’ve had the most luck on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. However, sites like Discogs prohibit the sale of bootlegs due to copyright infringement, so you’ll need to explore other avenues.
Beach Boys forums and online collector groups are also excellent resources for finding bootlegs. These communities are full of passionate fans who are often willing to trade or sell rare items. The price of a bootleg album can vary widely depending on factors like sound quality and the rarity of the pressing. Higher-quality pressings often have a better resell value, but also consider where the recordings were sourced from. Don’t be afraid to ask vendors for more details and photos before purchasing to ensure you get a good deal.
David Espino-Lozada is a writer and editor with a passion for literature and poetry. He has published numerous articles and is also involved in writing sci-fi for video games. An avid collector, David has an extensive collection of books, music, and vintage male clothing. When he’s not writing, he enjoys diving into the depths of the internet and libraries, indulging his fascination with the world of collectibles and heirlooms.
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