The Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds' Goes Double Platinum Ahead of 60th Anniversary

Official Announcement | Published: May 15, 2026 4:19 PM EDT

(UMe) When The Beach Boys' masterpiece Pet Sounds was released in 1966, it was only a modest commercial success in the U.S. compared to the group's earlier albums.

In the decades since, however, its reputation and popularity have steadily grown, with the album now widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time-recently surpassing 2 billion streams in the U.S. alone and ranking as the sixth most streamed rock album of the 1960s, according to Luminate.

Ahead of the album's 60th anniversary this Saturday, May 16, Pet Sounds has been certified double platinum by the RIAA, a testament to its enduring popularity and timeless appeal. Additionally, the album's classic singles "Wouldn't It Be Nice" is now 4x platinum, "God Only Knows" is 2x platinum and "Sloop John B" is platinum.

The extraordinary milestone was celebrated this week at a special, intimate ceremony at the historic Capitol Records tower in Hollywood, Calif. as founding members Mike Love and Al Jardine and Bruce Johnston and the families of Brian Wilson, Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, were presented with plaques by UMe Chairman Bruce Resnikoff commemorating Pet Sounds' new multi-platinum status.

In honor of the anniversary, Capitol, who signed The Beach Boys as teenagers in 1962, and UMe, the global catalog division of Universal Music Group, are flying a special Pet Sounds flag on the Capitol Records tower all week long.

Pet Sounds is being celebrated with a series of releases and initiatives this week. Two new distinct premium all-analog audiophile pressings are available now via Capitol/UMe. These include a 2LP Vinylphyle Edition featuring the original album in both mono and stereo, and a high-end Definitive Sound Series Audiophile Edition presented in mono using the One Step process. A collectible Zoetrope vinyl edition with textured front cover is also available.

Also out today, The Pet Sounds Sessions Highlights compiles standout material from the 1997 Grammy-nominated 4CD box set, The Pet Sounds Sessions, which documented the legendary 1965-66 recording sessions. The new collection features 25 alternate takes, a cappellas, and tracking sessions, all making their vinyl debut. Available as a 2CD set and across multiple 2LP configurations-including standard black vinyl and limited-edition splatter/color variants-each format includes new liner notes by longtime Beach Boys historian Howie Edelson, along with a detailed sessionography. The full 90-track box set, The Pet Sounds Sessions, is also now available to stream once again. Purchase or stream Pet Sounds 60th anniversary releases here

Universal Music Group's UMusic Shops in NYC and London will play host this weekend to a Pet Sounds pop-up shop where fans will be able to buy the new releases along with exclusive merch, including limited edition t-shirts and hats. The first 100 fans will receive a lithograph with purchase.