Al Jardine facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Al Jardine
Jardine performing in 2019
Background information
Birth name	Alan Charles Jardine
Born	(1942-09-03) September 3, 1942 (age 82) Lima, Ohio, U.S.
Origin	Hawthorne, California, U.S.
Died	Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day
Genres	Rock pop folk
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar bass
Years active	1961–present

Alan Charles Jardine (born September 3, 1942) is an American musician. He is one of the people who started The Beach Boys, a very famous band. Al Jardine is best known as the band's rhythm guitarist and a background singer. He also sang lead on some popular songs like "Help Me, Rhonda" (1965) and "Cottonfields" (1970). His song "Lady Lynda" was a big hit in the UK for the group in 1979.

After his bandmate Carl Wilson passed away in 1998, Jardine mostly performed on his own. He joined The Beach Boys again for their 50th anniversary tour in 2012. Jardine has also toured with fellow Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson. He released his own album called A Postcard from California in 2010 and an EP called Islands in the Sun in 2025. Al Jardine was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beach Boys in 1988.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Growing Up in California

Alan Charles Jardine was born in Lima, Ohio. He was the younger of two children. His family moved a few times, living in New York and San Francisco. They finally settled in Hawthorne, California. This is where Al and his older brother Neal spent most of their childhood.

Meeting Brian Wilson

At Hawthorne High School, Al Jardine played football. He became friends with Brian Wilson, who was also on the team. Al also saw Brian and his brother Carl Wilson sing at a school event. After attending college for a year, Al met Brian again at El Camino College in 1961. They started working on harmony ideas in the music room. This is where Al first suggested they form a band.

From Folk to Rock 'n' Roll

Al Jardine loved folk music and learned to play the banjo and guitar for it. When The Beach Boys started at Brian Wilson's home, Al wanted the band to play folk music. However, the others decided to play rock 'n' roll instead. Al played the stand-up bass on The Beach Boys' very first song, "Surfin'" (1961). He left the band for a short time but fully rejoined in 1963.

Music Career Highlights

Early Hits and New Roles

Jardine in 1965

Al Jardine sang lead on "Christmas Day" in 1964. Then, he sang lead on the number-one hit "Help Me, Rhonda". It was Al's idea for The Beach Boys to record the folk song "Sloop John B". Brian Wilson then arranged it for their famous Pet Sounds album in 1966.

After Brian Wilson stopped touring in late 1964, Al Jardine became a more important lead singer during live shows. He also started writing songs for The Beach Boys. His song "Lady Lynda" (1978) was a Top Ten hit in the UK. Al also helped produce some of The Beach Boys' albums.

Hall of Fame Recognition

In 1988, Al Jardine was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This was a big honor for him as a member of The Beach Boys.

Later Years and Solo Work

Changes in the 1990s

Jardine trying out John Sebastian's autoharp c. 1966

In 1991, there were some disagreements within the band. Al Jardine returned to sing on two songs for the album Summer in Paradise. Sadly, in 1997, Carl Wilson became very ill. He continued to perform with the band even while undergoing treatment. Carl passed away in February 1998.

After Carl's death, Al Jardine stopped touring with the main Beach Boys group. He started touring with his own band, "Beach Boys Family and Friends." This group included many musicians who had played with The Beach Boys before. It also featured Al's sons, Matt and Adam, and Brian Wilson's daughters, Carnie and Wendy.

Legal Matters and Solo Album

There were some legal issues about Al using the "Beach Boys" name for his band. The courts decided that he could not use the name in certain ways. So, Al continued to perform under his own name or with "Beach Boys Family and Friends."

In 2002, Al Jardine and his band released a live album called Live in Las Vegas. In 2006, he joined Brian Wilson for a tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Pet Sounds album.

In 2010, Al Jardine released his first solo album, A Postcard from California. This album featured other Beach Boys members like Brian Wilson and Bruce Johnston. It also had guest artists like Glen Campbell and Neil Young.

The 50th Anniversary Reunion

Jardine performing with the Beach Boys during their 2012 reunion tour

In 2011, it was announced that Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks, and Bruce Johnston would reunite. They planned a new Beach Boys album and a 50th anniversary tour in 2012. The band performed at the 2012 Grammy Awards. This was their first live show together with Brian, Al, and David in many years.

Their new album, That's Why God Made the Radio, came out in June 2012. It reached number 3 on the US charts. The album included the song "From There to Back Again," where Al Jardine shared lead vocals with Brian Wilson. Critics praised Al's singing on this song.

The reunion tour ended in September 2012 as planned. After the tour, Mike Love and Bruce Johnston continued to perform as The Beach Boys. Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, and David Marks toured together as a trio for a while. Al Jardine has appeared at almost every Brian Wilson concert since 2012.

Recent Activities

In 2015, Al Jardine worked with Brian Wilson again on the album No Pier Pressure. In 2016, they went on the Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary World Tour. Al and his son Matt also sang backing vocals on a song by John Mayer in 2017.

In 2018, Al Jardine started doing solo "storyteller" concerts. He shared stories from his career with his son Matt and other musicians. In 2019, Al was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. He also performed at a charity concert to help the homeless.

In 2020, Al Jardine and Brian Wilson encouraged fans to boycott some Beach Boys concerts. This was due to concerns about animal rights and political events.

In February 2021, Al Jardine released a new song called "Waves of Love 2.0." He also released "Jenny Clover." A part of the money from these songs went to a charity called "The World Central Kitchen." In April 2021, an album called California Music Presents Add Some Music was released. It featured Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks, and Bruce Johnston.

In 2022, Al Jardine announced the "Al Jardine Family & Friends Tour." This tour featured Carnie and Wendy Wilson of Wilson Phillips. Al also made a guest appearance on a song by the group Drifting Sand. He and Blondie Chaplin also joined Brian Wilson for his final tour with the band Chicago. Since 2022, Al has been touring with "Family & Friends" and the "Endless Summer Beach Band."

In February 2023, a TV special called A Grammy Salute to The Beach Boys was recorded. Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, David Marks, Bruce Johnston, and Mike Love were all there as special guests. They watched other artists perform their songs.

In March 2024, a documentary about The Beach Boys was announced. It was released on May 24, 2024, on Disney+. The documentary included interviews with many band members. Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks, and Bruce Johnston also had a private reunion for the documentary.

In August 2024, Al Jardine released a new song called "Wish." He said the song was inspired by Brian Wilson and the late Dennis Wilson. A part of the money from "Wish" will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Al also plans to release a second solo album.

In August 2024, Al Jardine announced a tour with many musicians from the Brian Wilson Band. This tour, called the Pet Sounds Band, will include songs from The Beach Boys' 1970s albums and their classic hits. The tour started in July 2025. After Brian Wilson passed away on June 11, 2025, Al decided to continue the tour in his honor. More dates were announced for Australia in October and November 2025.

Personal Life

Al Jardine married Lynda Sperry in 1964. They had two sons, Matthew and Adam. They divorced in 1982. The next year, Al married Mary Ann Helmandollar. They have two sons, Robert and Andrew.

Book

Al Jardine wrote a children's book called Sloop John B: A Pirate's Tale (2005). The book is a story about a boy's adventure with his grandfather. It is based on the folk song "Sloop John B". The book also comes with a CD that has Al Jardine singing the song.

Discography

Albums and EPs

Singles

See also

In Spanish: Al Jardine para niños