Showtime aims its spotlight at The Beach Boys' most revered album in a documentary debuting tonight (Friday).
The Beach Boys: Making Pet Sounds weaves the comments of the band, sessionmen, record executives and a few surprise guests in a compelling history of the iconic group and its role in elevating rock and roll into art. In addition to interviews with Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks, there's archival footage with the late Dennis Wilson, plus some shot while Pet Sounds was being recorded.
British pop star Helen Shapiro, a close friend of The Beatles, appears several times -- she toured Europe with The Beach Boys just after Pet Sounds' release. You'll also meet Tony Asher, the L.A. adman and jingle writer whose chance meeting with Brian Wilson at Capitol Studios led to his becoming Pet Sounds' primary lyricist.
The documentary also covers how Capitol Records was skeptical about the album, initially delayed its release and was more anxious to cash in on a greatest hits LP than promote an album that became a landmark in rock and roll.