It’s 1988, and somehow — against all odds — the Beach Boys have the #1 song in America. Eric Alper joins Shane Hewitt for Throwback Thursday to unpack how Kokomo became a generational anthem, why Brian Wilson wasn’t even on the track, and how a song about tropical islands saved a California band’s career.

From family feuds to therapist blockades, discover the wild story behind one of the most unlikely pop comebacks ever. Plus, what Kokomo teaches us about reinvention, nostalgia, and the strange power of a conga line.

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Eric Alper
@thatericalper
thatericalper.com

Originally aired on2025-11-06