The Beach Boys and John Stamos Cause Waves at the Sunrise

The Beach Boys came to the Sunrise on April 1 and together with special guest John Stamos played the good vibrations we loved and remembered. A frequent Beach Boys collaborator, the Full House actor played both the drums and guitar for the sold-out crowd.

Before the show, guests and members of the media met with original member Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, and Stamos at the Black Box next door.

“The first concert I went to was a Beach Boys show,” Stamos said. “I jokingly hoped that the drummer would break his finger and they’d come out and get me to play the drums instead.”

That didn’t happen, but he did become friends with the group and began playing with them on occasional tours and records in the mid-1980s.



When asked why their music has endured for such a long time, Love talked about the brilliance of original member and chief songwriter Brian Wilson, while Stamos got philosophical.

“It’s heart music,” he said. “It bypasses the brain and goes straight to the heart. It’s timeless. Every new generation gets hooked.”

Bill and Nancy Welling were among the lucky group who got to meet the Beach Boys. Bill Welling said worked for the New York Mets during Spring Training and said he was a big fan.

“I’ve seen them in Ohio and at Tradition,” Bill Welling said. “Good music doesn’t get old.”

Nancy Welling added that they’ve been to the Sunrise a for jazz musician Doc Grober and Chris MacDonald’s “Memories of Elvis,” as well as the local sights at the marina.

“I love it,” she said. “They did a beautiful job and it’s right here. We come to Friday Fest and have a good time and the library is great. You can’t beat it.”

The concert attracted a wide range of ages. Most were there for The Beach Boys. The reason for many of the younger audience members became clear when Stamos took the stage. There were female screams as if he were – well – a rock star.

Lauren Hellstrom, 24 of Port St. Lucie, was there with her parents, but they didn't have to drag her to the show.

"I'm here to see John Stamos."

Shelly Koppel
Writer