The latest of the legendary Beach Boys concerts, their appearance at Knebworth in June 1980 was the last time the core group (the Wilson brothers plus Mike Love, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston) appeared on-stage in Great Britain (the front cover would have you believe it was the last time ever). Touring behind their recent Keepin’ the Summer Alive LP, the Beach Boys appeared on a bill also including Mike Oldfield and Santana, doing a lengthy set that focused on their hits of the 1960s and early ’70s, presaging their golden twilight as the mightiest of the oldies acts touring the state fairs and exhibition centers of America. With Mike Love and Carl Wilson leading the band, though, the band was fairly strong here, and no other rock artists then touring had such a barrage of hits to play. For “God Only Knows,” both Carl’s lead vocal and the band’s harmonies are as pure as on the original, and Mike Love shows his frontman skills leading the band through a cover of Chuck Berry’s “School Days.” Fans who’ve concentrated on the studio expertise of Brian Wilson may be surprised at how solid and entertaining the group could be in a live context; Live at Knebworth 1980 ranks as a great look at a band still vital on-stage if not in the studio. – John Bush
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