The Beach Boys are coming!

The concert scene will be in nostalgia mode in 2010, with the retro season to be ushered in by The Beach Boys who are slated to perform in a concert, the group’s second time, at the Big Dome on Jan. 27.

Billed as The Beach Boys Live In Manila!, the one-night musical event to be mounted by Ovation Productions will reunite the legendary group headed by founding member and lead vocalist Mike Love.

Once more, with more feeling, Beach Boys fans will have their fill of classic songs which have become eternal anthems of American youth, including their first hit, Surfin’; Surfin’ USA; Surfer Girl; Fun, Fun, Fun; I Get Around; California Girls; Help Me Rhonda; Barbara Anna; Good Vibrations; Wouldn’t It Be Nice; Rock and Roll Music; Kokomo; and many more.

An eloquent testament to The Beach Boys’ enduring popularity was their initial performance here on Oct. 7, 2005, also at the Big Dome and from Ovation Productions, when they brought the house down as the overflow audience of singing, swinging and swaying fans clamored for more and ceased only after they promised to “see you again.”

That promise will come true on Jan. 27.

The Beach Boys remain ensconced in their pedestal up to the present generation as they continue to create and perform with the same bold imagination and style that marked their explosive debut more than 40 years ago.           

The musical story of The Beach Boys began in the early ‘60s as regular late-night singing sessions among the brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson and, later, with their first cousin Mike Love, in their home in the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne, California.

Their first song, Surfin’, penned by Mike Love in 1961, launched the musical career of the five youngsters (with the addition later of Al Jardine) and led to a recording contract in mid-1962 with Capitol Records, which released their overnight hit debut single, Surfin’ Safari.

Their 1962 first long-player of the same title triggered an avalanche of music during the next seven years, featuring 20 Beach Boys albums, many of which turned Gold and hit the Top 20.

As certified hit-makers, they received 32 RIAA Platinum and Gold record awards for their amazing record of worldwide album sales estimated at over 100 million copies. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and won the NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2001 Grammy Awards ceremonies.

In the new millennium, The Beach Boys continue to delight and entertain millions worldwide with the same bold imagination and style that marked their explosive debut more than 40 years ago. 

Aside from Mike Love (lead vocals), the newest incarnation of the band includes 40-year Beach Boy-vet Bruce Johnston (vocals/keyboards), Mike Kowalski (drums), Adrian Baker (guitar/vocals), Chris Farmer (bass/vocals), Tim Bonhomme (keyboards/vocals), John Cowsill of The Cowsills (keyboards/vocals/percussion) and Scott Totten (guitar/vocals).

(Note: Tickets to The Beach Boys Live In Manila! —  priced at P3,800, P3,500, P2,800, P1,800, P800 and P500 --- are available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores. For inquires, call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Ovation Productions at 532-8883).

How Diet landed in Reader’s Digest

Readers who have not yet gotten a copy of the December 2009 issue of Reader’s Digest Asia are requesting Funfare to reprint the story about Diether “Diet” Ocampo, the cover boy, who is identified as “Actor, environmentalist, founding president of K.I.D.S. Foundation, PETA volunteer.”

Here’s the story as Diet told it to Ross Harper, reprinted with Diet’s permission:

“In 2004, I started the K.I.D.S. Foundation to provide medical assistance to children with cancer. Through the years, the foundation grew and eventually branched out to giving educational scholarships and donating books to public schools. These were all possible because there were people who cared enough to give a little of themselves to those who have less. I think the spirit of volunteerism is alive and well but my wish for 2010 is for more celebrities and influential people to support worthwhile causes. I hope they realize how much they can do to make positive changes.

“I haven’t forgotten that I come from a poor family. This keeps me grounded and grateful for what I have today. I’m also aware that I’m in a position to help others, especially children, not only dream big like I did but also to make their dreams a reality. The entertainment industry has been very good to me and to many of my colleagues. I think it’s just right to pay it forward. If we live by this simple concept; I believe the world will be a friendlier place.

“I also feel very strongly about protecting the environment because we’ve abused our planet enough and I want more people to realize that the clock is ticking fast. We have to work together to save the earth before it’s too late. In this age of advanced technology, electronic trash is a growing threat. I wish people would change their attitude about buying the latest gadgets and be more mindful of how their old phones or laptops are disposed of. I wish the youth would actively participate in more environmental conservation projects to show that they care about the home they’re inheriting from us. Unless they make an effort now there won’t be much left for them and the next generation to enjoy.”

Here come the Pop Girls

In case you haven’t noticed, all-girl singing groups are the current rage in Asia and other parts of the world as well. There’s the Korean group 2NE1 which includes Dara Park (a.k.a. Sandara Park) and The Wonder Girls which is behind the hit dance tune Nobody.

Here come the Pop Girls, organized by Viva Entertainment as the Philippines’ contribution to the fad. The five members are: Half-Lebanese twins Lai and Mar, 16; Dutch mestiza Rose, 13; half-Swiss/half Filipina Schai, 14; and pure-Filipina Nadine, 15.

To ensure the success of the Pop Girls, Viva boss Vic del Rosario Jr. has tapped international producers Christian de Walden and Marcus Davis, and seasoned local producer Civ Fontanilla to take charge of the girls’ 13-track debut CD, including Crazy Crazy by Marcus and Amber Davis and Crushy by top choreographer Geleen Eugenio, plus covers of OPM hits Urong Sulong by Regine Velasquez and Kapag Tumibok ang Puso by Donna Cruz.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])