section_path: 1942–1961: Background and musical training/Formation of the Beach Boys
section_name: Formation of the Beach Boys
paragraph_text: Formation of the Beach Boys
  
  I wasn't aware those early songs defined California so well until much later in my career. I certainly didn't set out to do it. I wasn't into surfing at all. My brother Dennis gave me all the jargon I needed to writethe songs. He was the surfer and I was the songwriter.
  
  The three Wilson brothers, Love, and Jardine debuted their first music group together, called "the Pendletones", in the autumn of 1961. At Dennis's suggestion, Brian and Love co-wrote the group's first song, " Surfin ' ". Murry became their manager.
  
  Produced by Hite and Dorinda Morgan on Candix Records, "Surfin ' " became a hit in Los Angeles and reached 75 on the national Billboard sales charts. The group's name was changed by Candix Records to the Beach Boys. Their major live debut was at the Ritchie Valens Memorial Dance on New Year's Eve, 1961. Just days earlier, Wilson had received an electric bass from his father and quickly learned to play, prompting Jardine to switch to rhythm guitar.
  
  When Candix Records faced financial difficulties and sold the Beach Boys' master recordings to another label, Murry ended their contract. As "Surfin ' " faded from the charts, Wilson collaborated with local musician Gary Usher to produce demo recordings for new tracks, including " 409 " and " Surfin' Safari ". Capitol Records were persuaded to release the demos as a single, achieving a double-sided national hit.
  
  I wasn't aware those early songs defined California so well until much later in my career. I certainly didn't set out to do it. I wasn't into surfing at all. My brother Dennis gave me all the jargon I needed to writethe songs. He was the surfer and I was the songwriter.
  
  The three Wilson brothers, Love, and Jardine debuted their first music group together, called "the Pendletones", in the autumn of 1961. At Dennis's suggestion, Brian and Love co-wrote the group's first song, " Surfin ' ". Murry became their manager.
  
  Produced by Hite and Dorinda Morgan on Candix Records, "Surfin ' " became a hit in Los Angeles and reached 75 on the national Billboard sales charts. The group's name was changed by Candix Records to the Beach Boys. Their major live debut was at the Ritchie Valens Memorial Dance on New Year's Eve, 1961. Just days earlier, Wilson had received an electric bass from his father and quickly learned to play, prompting Jardine to switch to rhythm guitar.
  
  When Candix Records faced financial difficulties and sold the Beach Boys' master recordings to another label, Murry ended their contract. As "Surfin ' " faded from the charts, Wilson collaborated with local musician Gary Usher to produce demo recordings for new tracks, including " 409 " and " Surfin' Safari ". Capitol Records were persuaded to release the demos as a single, achieving a double-sided national hit.