Beach Boys founding member Al Jardine has donated signed memorabilia from his recent tour to support fundraising efforts to protect Western Australia's coastline, after being captivated by the state's beaches during a visit to Perth.
The 83-year-old American musician performed at the Regal Theatre in Perth on June 25 with The Pet Sounds Band, featuring the late Brian Wilson's acclaimed touring musicians, as part of their Australian tour.
Collaboration with Talking Foreign Affairs
Before the show, Perth-based initiative Talking Foreign Affairs, led by founder Adil Cader, met with Jardine to discuss ocean conservation awareness. Cader, who has interviewed more than 40 world leaders, said the connection was natural: Jardine grew up on the California coast, and both California and Western Australia are coastline-led regions.
“When we found out that he was touring, we reached out to Al Jardine’s team ahead of his Perth show to arrange a collaboration on ocean conservation, and he agreed,” Cader said.
Visit to Cottesloe Beach
During his visit, Jardine stopped at Cottesloe Beach and was so impressed by the coastline that he decided to donate signed memorabilia to local ocean charities. The charities set to receive the donations are still being finalised.
Jardine recalled his first performance in Perth with the Beach Boys in 2004. “Cottesloe is a place I have known for many years. We had a memorable concert here back in 2004. Coming back today and spending time there again, I absolutely loved it,” he said last Thursday.
“The beach still feels pristine and full of natural beauty. There is a nice sense of calm and clarity you don’t get many places, and you feel lucky just being there. I would hate to see a place like this damaged for future generations and I want people to keep being able to enjoy it the same way I have.”
Jardine's Love for WA Coastline
Jardine added that WA’s coastline is “truly special”. “Unfortunately, I could not stay for sunset this time but, boy, you have some magical sunsets with those orange skies,” he said. “I loved spending time at Perth’s beautiful beaches while I’ve toured here. Having grown up by the California coast, I know how precious places like these are.”
In a World Ocean Day interview with Cader, Jardine also discussed ocean conservation, the decline of the Great Barrier Reef, and broader threats to coastlines in the US.
The Beach Boys Legacy
The Beach Boys formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961 and are one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful bands of all time, selling more than 100 million records globally. Founding members included brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and Jardine. Love and Jardine are the only surviving original members after Dennis drowned in 1983, Carl died of lung cancer in 1998, and Brian died in 2025 after respiratory arrest. Long-time member Bruce Johnston, who joined in 1965, retired from touring with the band this year.
