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Jon Stebbins
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The Lost Beach Boy: The True Story of David Marks one of the founding members of the Beach Boys Hardcover – May 1, 2007

by Jon Stebbins (Author), David Marks (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 62 ratings
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His name may not be familiar, but David Marks was one of the original founding members of the Beach Boys. His signature joined those of Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson and their cousin Mike Love at Capitol Records in 1962. He grew up with the Wilson family, moving into a house across the street from them, and started playing music with them soon after. His signature sound is on "Surfin' U.S.A.," "Shut Down," "Hawaii," and many more. He played and sang on the Beach Boys' first string of national sold-out tours and television appearances. Then one day he vanished from the public eye. Over time, David's name disappeared from the history books and the Beach Boys' story was rewritten, without David's name. For many years, the public and critics were unaware of the important role David Marks played in the formation of the Beach Boys. For the first time, the truth is behind one of the most influential bands ever is revealed here. As a lifelong friend of each member of the band, David Marks is uniquely placed to bring this extraordinary story to life. This is the compelling true story of one of the greatest bands of all time.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Virgin Books
  4. Publication date
    May 1, 2007
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1852273917
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1852273910
  8. See all details
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  1. Heroes And Villains
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  3. The Nearest Faraway Place: Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys, and the Southern California Experience
  4. Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy
  5. Becoming the Beach Boys, 1961-1963
  6. Catch a Wave: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jon Stebbins is the author of the acclaimed Dennis Wilson: The Real Beach Boy, and a creative contributor to the television documentary The Beach Boys: Wouldn't It Be Nice. David Marks' solo work has won critical acclaim, and he was recently reunited with The Beach Boys. He lives in New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Virgin Books (May 1, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1852273917
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1852273910
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.26 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 62 ratings

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Jon Stebbins

Jon Stebbins

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
62 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Lucky Duck
5.0 out of 5 stars What a fantastic story!
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2015
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What a fantastic story this is. I had no idea what happened to David Marks after his stint in The Beach Boys but I have to say this is one of those books I found hard to put down and I literally devoured it like not many other books I've read. The writing by Jon Stebbins is superb and having just seen Brian Wilson in concert here in Boston about three weeks ago has me on a Beach Boys all-time roll and all offshoots thereof. I'm a native of MA but a Californian at heart and I've been there enough to know the feel and why David returned to CA not oo long after spending time here in MA while attending Berkeley College of Music. Thanks to Mark Vollman for turning David around on CA vs. MA. I have since picked up everything I can that David has played on and this book will entertain you to the hilt especially if you're a musician like I am. David, if you're reading this, the lyrics to the song Good Intentions by Toad the Wet Sprocket seem particularly fitting for you especially after reading this book. Keep on making music my friend because there's a lot more in you that needs to emerge, I can tell.
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Joseph M. Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars If You Are a Beach Boys Fan Then You Have to Read This.
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2007
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After reading Timothy White's "The Nearest Farawar Place" you might think that there is little else to be said about the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson and yet all of these great books keep coming out about the band using White's book as a reference and going into all sorts of various directions.

As other reviewers have noted, this book is long overdue. The "replacement Beach Boy" phenomina helped the band in some ways. David Marks/Al Jardine and then Chapman/Fataar and Bruce Johnston all had a role at one point or another in allowing Brian to stay in the studio and create unparalleled music. But it also hurt in some ways too in that fans do like to see the original lineup as much as possible. For all intents and purposes David Marks was really the original 5th Beach Boy, at least from the fans perspective. He was the one that we saw and heard on the first 4-5 albums before being replaced by Al Jardine- who was there before him but did not appear regulalry on the albums until much later. After that David's role was kind of swept under the rug until he returned to the band in 1997.

Fortunately this book focuses on his relationship with the Beach Boys during and after his tenure and does not spend too much time on his other bands. No offense to David but this would have been boring had they spent too much time talking about The Moon or David and the Marksmen. Although I have to admit that I was curious to hear his post-Beach Boys work after reading this. You end up getting a lot of extra insight and given that he experienced something similar to what Pete Best did it is actually very positive. And he clearly loves and admires Brian Wilson. Even after learning that Brian had the hots for his mom and was calling her at 3 in the morning when Dave and his dad were out of town. That part made me really laugh out loud and want to high five Brian too. Glad to know Denis wasn't the only one causing a little mischief from time to time! :)
29 people found this helpful
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Al
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2023
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This is an interesting book. There is a lot about the early days of the Beach Boys and how David Marks was eliminated from the band. Some good pictures included. I'll always be a fan of David Marks.
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NittyGritty17
5.0 out of 5 stars The Last Beach Boy was a Beach Boy
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2015
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I liked this book and glad David Marks could tell his story. I wasn't familiar with Jon Stebbins but early on in the book I noticed the word, 'mum' for mom and wondered if David was British. No, the author is.
Yes, David Marks was a real Beach Boy and was/is receiving royalty checks for 10 songs (if I remember correctly the song count) though it didn't list the titles. The book doesn't go deeply into details of court proceedings or contracts. It focuses on David's life after he quit The Beach Boys.
I can't imagine what the parentals were thinking, sending their fifteen year old boy out on the road, except Gee, these kids can make us A LOT of money! Did David's parents not realize their son was so stressed that HE was the one to tell Murray, 'I Quit'? How legal is a 15 year old boy's utterance in an exhausted state?
Anyway, it's always interesting to read about songs we grew up with. The song '409' (Apr. '62) was written by Brian and Gary Usher (songwriter) and featured David on guitar (the same day as 'Surfin Safari's 2nd recording) . It was recorded at Western Recorders on Sunset. The intro was Gary Usher's 348 Chevy Impala (not a 409) blowing down Kornblum Ave, recorded by Brian's reel-to-reel.
There's always been talk about who was playing what on which song. The Beach Boys recorded for Capitol Records until about 1969. The 60's labels used professional musicans to get as perfect commercial sound as they could and get it released quickly. They had the equipment and Union musicians talented enough to do that without going overtime and 'The Wrecking Crew' were used by many. It wasn't until the 70's that bands insisted on using their own bands.( Rarely will a live concert sounds like the released record..if ever).
It doesn't take away from the songwriter's lyrics creation nor their musician's competency. It was just the way they did it back then.
(Also, I do believe Murray and Brian and even other bandmembers were allowed to be in the studio for some recordings. And likewise, the Wrecking Crew came to Brian's house to record to on later songs.
In closing, I felt very sad for David and his addictions and him trying very hard to get his bag together. You just wonder if he'd have been 5 years older when he joined The Beach Boys, if things would have been different. The 60's were tumultous times! Not only civil rights but Viet Name and and abundance of Drugs.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame OWES him a place with the Beach Boys, that's for SURE!
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Top reviews from other countries

Jimbo
4.0 out of 5 stars The Lost Book
Reviewed in Canada on February 18, 2014
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A very interesting read from someone who was there with a different perspective. Lots of gems from the early days that have never been mentioned in all the other books on the BB's.
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Music Fan, Collector & Historian
5.0 out of 5 stars Lost ... but now deservedly found
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2007
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I've got an awful lot of time for both Jon Stebbins and David Marks. Jon's previous book on Beach Boy Dennis Wilson was, and is, an astonishing read - and I approached his new tome with excited anticipation. And I wasn't disappointed. David now rightfully deserves his place in the history of this legendary band, something that for years he wasn't afforded, or he chose not to accept - and judging by the facts that are now brought into the light with this great read every due credit is now justified.

The research that Stebbins put into the book, the small details, the minor facts, all pull it together into one fascinating story. How the band formed, the early tours, the often misjudged theory of David being replaced by Al Jardine, his departure from the line-up ... and the many lost years before his return to the Beach Boys fold during the late 80's/early 90's.

If you are the slightest bit curious as to the early years of the Beach Boys and how it all began, or if you are a serious follower of the band, or even if you are simply a music enthusiast and enjoy a good tale of survival and rediscovery then this is a fine, fine place to start. Highly recommended.

And as for David himself ... simply search out any of his musical endeavours to be blown away by his immense talent.
12 people found this helpful
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Groovemaster-DJ
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have read from cover to cover
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 19, 2014
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A really excellent biography full of events and times, you feel you were there and part of it. David is totally vindicated and a true professional and legend He made the beach boys not Murray.

Great news that David now gets his full and rightful status restored. This is not just about the Beach Boys and Hawthorne CA its about Americana Youth and their way of life. It's from Pepsi-Cola to JD, its from boyhood to manhood,

I am really sad that I all too soon came to the last page,
4 people found this helpful
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IanB
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest Bio
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 22, 2019
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A really honest and interesting biography of a really talented musician. He deserves to be better known.
One person found this helpful
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alan mcphail
5.0 out of 5 stars Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2013
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Great read interesting story and insight into the early years of the beach boys. From his young years as a Beach Boy and the final reunion back in the fold
2 people found this helpful
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