Al Jardine Performs Rare Beach Boys Deep Cut ‘Back Home’ in Ohio
Founding Beach Boys member Al Jardine has spent the vast majority of his life in California, embodying the state’s sun-drenched musical legacy. However, his roots trace back to Lima, Ohio, where he spent his early childhood. During a recent intimate show with the Pet Sounds Band at the Robins Theater in Warren, Ohio, on August 15, Jardine treated the audience to a rare, nostalgic performance of the deep cut “Back Home.”
“I think I did it with the Beach Boys back in 1973,” Jardine told the crowd. “After about 50 years of not performing it, we had one little rehearsal today. It’s all about coming back to Ohio.”
The song, which opens with the poignant lyrics, “Well, I’m going back this summer to Ohio,” resonated deeply with the die-hard fans in attendance. While Jardine’s recollection of the song’s history was slightly off—the track’s origins are famously complex—the performance served as a highlight of his current tour.
Brian Wilson originally wrote “Back Home” in 1963 during the Surfer Girl sessions. The band revisited the track multiple times throughout the late Sixties and early Seventies, including during the Sunflower sessions, before finally releasing a version on 1976’s 15 Big Ones. Despite its history, the song had largely vanished from live setlists for decades.
Jardine’s current tour has become a sanctuary for deep cuts and overlooked gems from the band’s catalog. Beyond “Back Home,” he has been performing tracks from The Beach Boys Love You and selections from the 1978 M.I.U. Album, offering fans a unique look at the band’s experimental Seventies era.
As the only original Beach Boy currently on the road, Jardine continues to honor the band’s legacy while pushing his live show into new, unexpected territory. With the 60th anniversary of the legendary Smile album approaching in 2027, fans are already speculating on what other rarities might find their way into his setlist in the coming years.
