The Beach Boys

Autism Light #299 is The Beach Boys.

The Beach Boys are a Rock band that formed in 1961, in Hawthorne, California. They became a sensation for hit songs such as Good Vibrations, Wouldn't It Be Nice, God Only Knows, and Surfin' USA (Source). The original members of the band were Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine. David Marks and Bruce Johnston are also current members of the group and Dennis and Carl Wilson are deceased. The group has been entertaining fans for half a century, but quite possibly their biggest fan is a young man who has autism. The Beach Boys are an Autism Light for the way their music has helped a 22 year old boy with autism named Brett Werner over the years.

Brett Werner: On August 2, 2013, Brett Werner got his dream of getting to meet The Beach Boys, when their music tour came to the Detroit, Michigan Metropolitan area, where Brett Werner lives. The music of The Beach Boys is able to calm and soothe Brett Werner, who listens to their music all day. Although Brett Werner is nonverbal he is able to say two words, "Beach Boys." A news story and video created by WXYZ.com is at this link.

Brett Werner's admiration of The Beach Boys has also been an inspiration to famous band. Beach Boy, Mike Love, said, "I guess it's the ultimate compliment for us--that our music is a tribute (Source)." A CBS Sunday Morning news story on The Beach Boys celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2011 is available at this link.

Michael Brenner: Brett Werner isn't the only young man with autism who is a fan of The Beach Boys. Here is Michael Brenner singing his own version of The Beach Boys' song Surfin' USA. Michael has autism.

For more information on The Beach Boys visit their Wikipedia Page. 

Special thanks to The Beach Boys for being an Autism Light and giving good vibrations to people with autism by their beloved music. I have the feeling if all the autism stories were known we would find that there more than a few more people with autism who are fans of The Beach Boys.

Autism Light honors diverse heroes to the world of autism.

The photo of The Beach Boys with this post is in the Creative Commons of Wikipedia. It was taken by Louise Palanker.