The Beach Boys Lineups

From the start, The Beach Boys have undergone many variations in composition, being represented by fill-ins onstage as often as not. Wilson neighbor David Marks appeared on their first four albums, played with the group in its formative stages, and was a member from 1962 to 1963 as a replacement for Jardine, who had left the group to attend college. Jardine returned to the band in 1963 as an onstage fill-in for Brian Wilson, who was already feeling the stresses of touring. Marks rejoined the band in 1997, during Carl Wilson's last illness, and remained with them for two years.

Glen Campbell toured for several months with the group in 1965, as a touring replacement for Brian, who had played bass in concert. Campbell was subsequently replaced by Bruce Johnston, who later became a permanent member. In 1972 drummer Ricky Fataar and guitarist Blondie Chaplin joined the band, as Johnston left the band. In 1973 and 1974 Fataar and Chaplin left. In 1979, Johnston returned.

Though not corporate members of The Beach Boys, supporting players have featured many notable musicians over the years. Keyboard players Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille, later famous as the pop duo The Captain & Tennille, toured with the band. Carli Muñoz, who had been playing keyboards with the band since 1970, in 1971 replaced Daryl Dragon as keyboard player until 1979. Mike Meros took over the position from May 1, 1979 to July 4, 2000. Drummer Mike Kowalski and bassist/guitarist Ed Carter were two of the first outside musicians to join the group in 1969. Percussionist/drummer Bobby Figueroa was added in the mid-seventies until the end of 1987. Joe Chemay played bass on tour around 1980. Adrian Baker joined the band in 1981 as a vocalist/guitarist and left sometime in mid-1982. Jeff Foskett came aboard in early 1982 as a guitarist and vocalist and played his last show with the group on the night of July 4, 1990. There was a stretch of time in 1981 and 1982 where both Jeff Foskett and Adrian Baker were in the band. Foskett was generally filling in for Carl's harmony parts, while he was away, while Baker did the falsetto vocals. Foskett is currently a member of Brian Wilson's group. Adrian Baker re-joined the band in 1989 to 1993 as a vocalist/guitarist. In 1990, John Stamos played drums and recorded with the band. He appeared on the title track of the comedy Problem Child, and later sang lead vocals on the song "Forever" from their 1992 album Summer in Paradise. As of 2010, he continues to tour with the band (usually as a drummer). Saxman John Renner was added in the Summer of 1991 for live sax on Kokomo and others. John Renner was replaced in 1992 by Ritchie Cannata, one of Billy Joel's early live band and record saxophone players. Billy Hinsche, of Dino, Desi, & Billy fame, was also a longtime member of the supporting band throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s. Matt Jardine, son of Beach Boy Al Jardine also joined the band in 1989 through 1998 as singer / percussionist. In 1998, Adrian Baker re-joined the band (for a record-breaking third time) in 1998 until 2004. Randell Kirsch replaced Baker in 2004 to present as falsetto vocalist/guitarist. Nashville musician John Foster temporarily filled in on falsetto vocals and guitar between Baker's tenure and the addition of Kirsch. John Cowsill, an original member of the 1960s pop band The Cowsills, has been a vocalist/keyboardist since 1999. John Cowsill, replaced Mike Kowalski as the group's full-time drummer in late 2007, leaving his secondary keyboard spot vacant.

Some of the changes in The Beach Boys' organization were less formal. They enjoyed a casual collaboration with fellow Southern Californians Jan and Dean. Much to the consternation of other band members, Wilson composed "Surf City" and gave the song, without compensation, to Dean Torrence. Jan and Dean, at the time not nearly as popular as The Beach Boys, recorded the song and scored their first number one single, a year before the Beach Boys finally reached the same milestone. Years later, Torrence happened upon the studio where the Beach Boys were recording their Beach Boys' Party! album. He joined in the singing, and can be heard singing harmony in the "Barbara Ann" cut from that album.

To the surprise and delight of fans around the world, Wilson has mounted several major tours under his own name with a band containing members of The Wondermints and led by former Beach Boys guitarist Jeff Foskett plus other supporting musicians. Their note-perfect live performances of the entire Pet Sounds album earned some of the most glowing concert reviews of Wilson's career, with some commentators calling the shows "the concert of a lifetime". In 2003 and 2004, he and Van Dyke Parks reunited to complete the unfinished sections of Smile, and in 2004 Wilson and his band toured the world performing a live concert version of the album. They then recorded a new studio version of Smile using vintage recording equipment and including sessions at the fabled Sunset Sound Studios in Hollywood, where some of the original recordings were made.

Jardine toured for a while with the Beach Boys Family & Friends (which for legal reasons quickly became Alan Jardine Family & Friends Beach Band, then Al Jardine's Endless Summer Band), featuring his sons Matt and Adam, Wilson's daughters Carnie and Wendy, and Carl's brother-in-law Billy Hinsche, among others. Jardine now tours as the Endless Summer Band which includes his two sons, Hinsche, and several other performers. He also tours with other artists, including Stevie Heger and members of the pop/rock band Tripsitter. Most recently, in late 2006 and early 2007, Brian Wilson and Jardine performed several joint shows in honor of Pet Sounds' 40th anniversary. Litigation between Jardine and Love was resolved in 2009. Both Love and Brian Wilson have made guest appearances on Jardine's upcoming solo album A Postcard from California.

In 2011 it was announced that Mike Love, Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks would reunite for a 2012 50th Anniversary Tour. In a December interview with Rolling Stone Mike Love stated they would use "most of Brian's band for the shows" as well as current tour members drummer John Cowsill and guitarist Scott Totten.

In late 2012, Mike Love announced that upon the conclusion of the 50th Anniversary dates, the touring lineup would return to its pre-50th configuration. Despite this, Wilson, Jardine and Marks have announced a show featuring themselves with more dates potentially on the horizon.