Graduation Day 1966

Graduation Day 1966 is a live album by The Beach Boys, released on December 9, 2016. It was originally recorded in 1966.

Background
Since 2013, as a result of European Union copyright legislation passed that year, The Beach Boys have released various archival releases (most exclusive to digital downloads and streaming services, though some have also been offered in physical media formats like CDs and vinyl) featuring rarities, unreleased material, and other recordings that had not heretofore been officially released, all of which are fifty years old in that particular year, in order to extend the copyright on these recordings. The release was scheduled to extend the copyright of these recordings under EU law by 20 years; the EU protects recordings for 70 years only if they are formally released.

This show was part of the band's promotion tour of the album Pet Sounds in 1966; during that time Brian Wilson was working on the then-upcoming/unreleased album Smile.

On the night before, Brian flew out from Los Angeles to assist the band in rehearsing "Good Vibrations", which hadn't been played live before the three shows in Michigan. The album marks the second and third time the song was ever played live by the Beach Boys. As a result, the band taunts him out onto the stage for the second set's encore to play bass and provide vocals for Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode".

Personnel
The Beach Boys
 * Brian Wilson - backing vocals and bass on "Johnny B. Goode"
 * Mike Love – vocals; electro-Theremin on "Good Vibrations"
 * Al Jardine – vocals, rhythm guitar
 * Carl Wilson – vocals, lead guitar (except "God Only Knows" and "Good Vibrations"), bass on "God Only Knows" and "Good Vibrations”
 * Dennis Wilson – vocals, drums
 * Bruce Johnston – vocals, bass (except "God Only Knows", "Good Vibrations", and "Johnny B. Goode"), organ on "God Only Knows" and "Good Vibrations”

Production staff
 * Brian Wilson - producer (original recordings)
 * Mark Linett - producer (2016)
 * Alan Boyd - producer (2016)