Al Jardine

This audio only interview was conducted by David Schwartz and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Al Jardine can be heard on the very first Beach Boys recording. The song, “Surfin’” was recorded in 1961 for Candix Records. Al left the group for a bit but returned to play bass for the group in 1963. His middle range harmony was first heard on the band’s 1964 Christmas record and soon became an important part of the Beach Boys sound. Always a fan of folk music, Al taught himself banjo in school before meeting Brian and Carl Wilson at a school assembly.