California surf meets Motor City soul when two of America’s all-time favorite bands perform together: The Beach Boys — and on the same night — The Temptations, will play the Salina Bicentennial Center when the ‘Surf & Soul Tour’ hits town, Tuesday, April 25 at 7 pm.

The Beach Boys:
You can capsulize most pop music acts by reciting how many hits they’ve had and how many millions of albums they’ve sold. But these conventional measurements fall short when you’re assessing the impact of The Beach Boys. To be sure, this band has birthed a torrent of hit singles and sold albums by the tens of millions. But its greater significance lies in the fact that it changed the musical landscape so profoundly that every pop act since has been in its debt.

Happily for us all, The Beach Boys continue to create and perform with the same bold imagination and style that marked their explosive debut over 50 years ago. And now in 2013, their Capitol Records release, Sounds of Summer (RIAA certified triple platinum with over three million in sales and climbing), and its companion The Warmth of the Sun marks a resurgence in Beach Boys interest that has again rocked the world. Even more than the Beatles, The Beach Boys found through their music the key to unfading youth-and they made copies for everyone. To these guys, the beach isn’t just a place where the surf comes to play-it’s where life is renewed and made whole again.

Captained by Mike Love, The Beach Boys play an astoundingly busy schedule of concerts, averaging 150 shows a year, ranging from sundrenched summer festivals to gala New Year’s celebrations and special events worldwide. In 1974 Mike Love’s concept album Endless Summer ignited a second generation of Beach Boys fans and stirred a tempest that rocked the music world.
Grammy-winning songwriter Bruce Johnston, [Barry Manilow’s “I Write the Songs”], joined The Beach Boys in 1965, replacing Glenn Campbell, who filled-in for Brian Wilson, on vocals/bass, when he retired from touring. Highly regarded as a singer-songwriter, Johnston’s vocal work with such legendary artists as Elton John and Pink Floyd firmly established him among rock’s elite artists.

The Temptations:
For more than fifty years, The Temptations have prospered, propelling popular music with a series of smash hits, and sold-out performances throughout the world. “The crowds are bigger, the sales are sizzling,” says one industry report. “The outpouring of affection for this super-group has never been greater”.

The history of The Temptations is the history of contemporary American pop. An essential component of the original Motown machine, that amazing engine invented by Berry Gordy, The Temps began their musical life in Detroit in the early sixties. It wasn’t until 1964 however, that the Smokey Robinson written-and-produced “The Way You Do the things You Do” turned the guys into stars. An avalanche of hits followed, many of which…”My Girl,” for instance…attained immortality. “It’s Growing,” “Since I Lost My Baby;,” “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Beauty Is only Skin Deep,” “I Wish It Would Rain”…the hits kept coming.

When the sixties and seventies turned political, The Temps got serious. They changed their tone, dress and music. Producer Norman Whitfield led the way. His Temptations hits, many featuring Dennis Edwards who had replaced David Ruffin, burned with intensity. “Runaway Child” “Cloud Nine,” “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”, and “Psychedelic Shack” still smolder.

The classic lineup was Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin. Beyond the fabulous singing, The temps became known for smooth stepping and flawless presentations. The Temptations Walk became a staple of American style. Flair, flash and class. Millions of fans saw their Temptations as cultural heroes. The current lineup consists of: Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon, Bruce Williamson. The Temptations remained true to The Temptations tradition.

Tickets start at $49, and on sale this Friday. Buy direct at the Bicentennial Center Box Office, by phone by calling 1-888-826-SHOW (7469) or online at bicentennialcenter.com. The Beach Boys and The Temptations is presented in Salina, KS by 35 Concerts and The Salina Bicentennial Center.