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Off-Ramp

Van Dyke Parks talks Beach Boys' Smile

Van Dyke Parks holding his companion, Jubal Early.
Van Dyke Parks holding his companion, Jubal Early.
(
Kevin Ferguson
)

About the Show

Over 11 years and 570 episodes, John Rabe and Team Off-Ramp scoured SoCal for the people, places, and ideas whose stories needed to be told, and the show became a love-letter to Los Angeles. Now, John is sharing selections from the Off-Ramp vault to help you explore this imperfect paradise.

Funding provided by:

Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Listen 5:50
Van Dyke Parks talks Beach Boys' Smile
More than 45 years after it was recorded, the Beach Boys are finally officially releasing Smile -- one of the bands' most notoriously challenging but influential records. The album was written by Brian Wilson in collaboration with Van Dyke Parks - a composer whose name you might not have heard, but whose music you certain have. Off-Ramp producer Kevin Ferguson talked with Parks about Smile and his solo career.

More than 45 years after it was recorded, the Beach Boys are finally officially releasing "Smile" – one of the band's most notoriously challenging, but influential, records. The album was written by Brian Wilson in collaboration with Van Dyke Parks - a composer whose name you might not have heard, but whose music you certain have. Off-Ramp producer Kevin Ferguson talked with Parks about "Smile" and his solo career.