The Beach Boys

Admired for both their infectious surfer music and their sophisticated, multi-tracked pop productions, the Beach Boys created a lasting impression on popular music through their complex harmonies and Brian Wilson's genius for composition and arrangement. Their 1966 album, PET SOUNDS, is a baroque/psychedelic-pop masterpiece that easily ranks among the most influential albums of the rock era. Brian's emotional difficulties eventually prevented him from performing, but his brothers and buddies carried on without him, singing his songs and spreading that California sunshine all over the world. In 1999, Brian launched a solo world tour, showcasing his Beach Boys compositions, and has continued to perform live as well.

• pop