On this day March 24 1980 The Beach Boys released their 24th studio album Keepin’ Summer Alive. The album aimed to recapture the classic surf rock sound that made the band famous in the 60s while blending it with a more contemporary edge. Keepin’ Summer Alive featured contributions from Carl Wilson Mike Love Al Jardine Bruce Johnston and Dennis Wilson though Brian Wilson’s involvement was limited. The album included tracks like Livin’ with a Heartache and the title track Keepin’ Summer Alive. It reached number 75 on the Billboard charts and marked one of the band’s final releases before major lineup changes in the following years.
80s insight: The album’s cover art features the band surrounded by summer imagery including surfboards and beach gear even though it was released in early spring.