15 Big Ones is the twentieth studio album by The Beach Boys, released in 1976. It was their first studio album in three years and the first Brian Wilson-produced album released by the band since Pet Sounds, ten years earlier.
In the fall of 1974, sessions were held at Caribou Ranch studio (owned by James William Guercio) in Colorado and Brother Studio in Santa Monica for an album set to be released in early 1975. It was reported that Brian was actively involved in the proceedings but no release occurred. Many of the tapes were allegedly destroyed when the Caribou Ranch and its studio burned down, with only the tapes taken to Brother Studio surviving.
By 1975, The Beach Boys' Endless Summer compilation was selling well and the band (without Wilson) was touring non-stop, making them the biggest live draw in the US.
At the end of January 1976, The Beach Boys were back in the studio, with Brian Wilson producing once again. He decided the band should do an "oldies" album, but brothers Carl and Dennis disagreed, feeling that an album of originals was far more ideal. Mike Love and Al Jardine reportedly wanted the album out as quickly as possible to take advantage of their resurgence of popularity. At one point during the recordings, it was decided that a double album was to be released: one album of oldies and another of original material. In the end, a compromise of both new originals and covers was decided upon, though Brian's younger brothers were displeased. Whatever the case, it was a radical shift from previous albums such as Sunflower and Holland.
With media coverage in high gear, The Beach Boys were given an NBC TV special heralding their return. One of the highlights of the special is a rendition of That Same Song with the Alexander Hamilton Double Rock Baptist Choir, where Brian looks to be more at ease than he really was. More at ease than the "Failure To Surf" comedy skit that enlisted the help of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi as "surf cops".
The group also embarked on a large US tour, several of the performances included Brian. Although Dennis Wilson suggested calling the album Group Therapy, and rejecting Pick Ya Up At 8 (after the song "I Wanna Pick You Up") 15 Big Ones, was named for their fifteen years in the business and for the fact that it had the same number of tracks. It was released in late June, reaching #8 in the US and going gold. It was the most successful Beach Boys studio album in over ten years, though the critical reaction of the album was not strong.
15 tracks
