Beach Boys landmark

This was my last day of a brief trip to California. Here's me in front of the Beach Boys Historical Marker in Hawthorne, CA, the 'birthplace' of the Beach Boys. It marks the site fairly close to where the Wilson family home (3701 West 119th Street) once stood, where Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson spent their high school years, a few blocks away from Hawthorne High School chum Al Jardine. The part of the neighborhood where the Wilsons lived no longer exists; those houses were razed in the 80s, and Highway 105 goes through there today.

Beach Boys Historical Landmark

Santa Monica in the a.m.

Does it get any sweeter than this?

Beautiful Canals

These are a few of the beautiful canals in Venice, CA - what a sight. Amazing to think these folks get to see this in their 'backyard' every day (or should I say instead of their backyards!)





And here's a pic of me at dinner with friends Nancy and John at a great italian place in Venice (Via Veneto)...

Venice!

While visiting California, I got to see one of my favorite bands in person for the first time - Venice! They were playing at the Canyon Club in Augora Hills (north of L.A.). What a show!

Venice (from Venice, CA) are Michael, Mark, Pat and Kip Lennon. Pat and Kip are brothers, and first cousins to Mark and Michael, who are also brothers. The blend of family is unlike any other. (It's no wonder their sound would appeal to me, since two of my favorite other vocal groups of all time, the Beach Boys and the Four Freshmen, were also comprised mostly of brothers & cousins!)



This was truly an amazing show, one I will remember for a long time. Very dynamic and they played almost all my favorites! Michael had some very tasty leads on his Les Pauls and his vintage Guild Starfire, and Pat chimed in with some great tasty leads of his own! As to be expected, Kip and Marky had some incredible vocal leads. Since Venice almost never make it to Texas, It was truly incredible to see them here in California!