Beach Boys w/Jimmy Page and guests - National Mall, Washingtion, DC - July 4th, 1985 (FM - 1st Gen)
(Sea To Shining Sea Concert)

FM (Master Cassetter recorded off WAVA) -> PC -> FLAC

Can't believe I found this in my recent move. My original tapes of the Beach Boys from the concert on the National Mall on July 4th 1985.

They played earlier in the day in Philadelphia and didn't arrive in DC until very late. You can hear the fireworks going on in the background during the show, though they don't distract from the music too much.

Yes, the show is very loose, and a bit of a mess, but to be honest they actually sound really good and they all seem to be having a really good time. So it's really a fun show to listen to, and yes it actually has Brian Wilson playing with them live!

The only version of this I could find was in audio only version on YouTube, but it is of much lesser quality. Actually, I have reason to believe it comes from a dub of my second-generation cassette that I used to trade because it has the exact same cut in Surfin’ USA that I have. This comes from my original master tape so it is two generations above that one. Note I patched Surfin’ USA (didn't have digital audio editing back then), and while not perfect I think it sounds better than the gap. There exist some video clips from both the Philadelphia show and the DC show, and I believe there is an audience of the full Philadelphia show, but this is the best quality FM broadcast soundboard from the DC show that I could find, so enjoy!

Songs:
01 - Introduction by Don Geronimo (DJ WAVA, later of the nationally syndicated Don & Mike show), Should We Play?
02 - California Girls
03 - California Calling
04 - Wouldn't It Be Nice
05 - Good Vibrations
06 - Lucille
07 - Help Me Rhonda
08 - Rockin' All Over The World
09 - Rock And Roll Music
10 - Surfin' Medley (Surfin' Safari, Surf City, Surfin' USA*)
11 - Barbara Ann
12 - Fun, Fun, Fun
13 - Outro - Post Show Radio (Including quick interview w/Bruce Johnston)
*patched tape flip cut in Surfin' USA

Beach Boys:
Mike Love - Vocals
Carl Wilson - Vocals, Guitar
Al Jardine - Vocals, Guitar
Bruce Johnston - Vocals, Bass, Keyboards
Brian Wilson (!) - Vocals, Guitar, Bass

Backing Band (Not sure, but possibilities are):
Ed Carter on bass
Billy Hinsche on rhythm guitar, keyboards, bass, and vocals
Mike Kowalski on drums (almost positive on him)
Jeff Foskett on vocals and lead guitar

Guest Musicians:
Jimmy Page - Guitar (Lucille to end)
Christopher Cross - Vocals
John Stamos (Uncle Jessie from Full House, Blackie Parrish from General Hospital) - Drums, Percussion (His first concert with them, he would become an occasional touring member)
Joan Jett - Guitar (Barbara Ann)
New Edition - Backing Vocals
Mr T. (Why?) - Percussion

Review excerpt from Geoffrey Himes, Washington Post, 7/5/85:

The Beach Boys were singing "Good Vibrations" last night when the delayed fireworks show started, and although the pyrotechnics drowned out the music for some in the Independence Day crowd, they provided a spectacular backdrop for such distinctively American tunes as "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "Surfin' U.S.A."

The California quintet didn't make it on stage until about 9:40 p.m., concluding six hours of free music on the Mall. But the group, revitalized by its first album in five years, sounded fresher and more spirited than it had on any previous visit to the Washington monument. Though the new songs like "California Calling" fell far short of their classic '60s tunes, the Beach Boys' voices once again rode the roller-coaster harmonies without slipping and the rhythm section was aggressively punchy.

The highlight was easily a gorgeous version of "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by a trim, beardless Brian Wilson, who sounded better than he has on stage in two decades. Even the well-worn surfing medley took on a new luster as the voices blended instinctively and built the momentum higher and higher with each hit.

A long list of guests joined the Beach Boys and their six-man backup band. Ex-Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page led the way on a hard-charging version of Little Richard's "Lucille." Christopher Cross joined the choir for an extended version of "Good Vibrations." New Edition filled out the harmonies on "Help Me Rhonda"; ex-Doobie Brother Keith Knudsen and Mr. T joined in on drums for Chuck Berry's "Rock and Roll Music." And Joan Jett joined the crowded stage for the swaying chorus of "Barbara Ann."