“California Sun” is actually a classic song originally written by Henry Glover and first recorded by Joe South in 1961. However, it’s more widely associated with the surf rock band The Rivieras, who released it in 1964. The song became an iconic anthem of the 1960s surf and beach culture.
Brian Wilson, the legendary frontman and songwriter of The Beach Boys, didn’t write “California Sun,” but it’s likely that he and his bandmates were influenced by the song, as it shares the sun-and-surf vibe that The Beach Boys helped popularize. Brian Wilson was known for his innovative production and harmonies, which helped shape the “California sound” of the 60s.
Though Wilson didn’t directly create “California Sun,” he did play a major role in defining the genre, and his influence on surf music in general can be heard in many songs with a similar vibe, such as “Surfin’ USA,” “Good Vibrations,” and “California Girls.”
