Hawthorne Birthplace to Surfin’ USA

It was the early 1960s and Brian Wilson wrote a tune for his music class at Hawthorne High School His teacher did not think highly of it as he gave Wilson a D. Later that song, “Surfin’ USA” would sell millions of albums.

The Wilson brothers grew up on the border of Hawthorne and Inglewood. Near Hawthorne Airport off 120th and Kornblum Ave. Today, the Wilson home would be where the 105 freeway runs through town. But back in the early 60’s the area was awakened late at night by the Beach Boys practicing in their garage.

The band was made up of the three Wilson brothers. Brian, Carl and Dennis. Dennis funny enough was the only one who surfed. Mike Love and youngster David Marks were the other members. However Marks was later replaced with Hawthorne High School footballer Al Jardine  because of a disagreement with his father and the Wilson’s father. They lived within a few homes of each other.

The bands harmonies were unmistakable however very much influenced by the popular Four Freshmen.

Today all that is left of the homes as depicted in the video above is a monument to the Beach Boy’s humble beginnings.