Stephen John Kalinich joined Al Jardine and The Pet Sounds Band on stage at The Soraya in Northridge, California, sharing his poem “The Tale of Man” during an evening celebrating the music of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys.

For Stephen, whose creative connections with the Wilson family stretch back to the 1960s, the appearance brought together poetry, music and a long shared history. The concert’s published setlist records his poetry reading near the beginning of the second set.

A Shared Creative History

Stephen’s words have been part of The Beach Boys’ musical world for decades. His collaborations with Dennis Wilson include “Little Bird” and “Be Still”, both featured on the band’s 1968 album Friends.

His writing reflects a lasting interest in peace, compassion and our connections with one another—subjects that continue to shape his work as a poet and performer. Appearing alongside Al Jardine and The Pet Sounds Band offered another opportunity to bring that poetic voice to an audience connected by this music.

Explore Stephen’s musical collaborations →

Poetry Within a Musical Celebration

The Pet Sounds Band features musicians from Brian Wilson’s touring band, led by musical director Darian Sahanaja. Their performances with Al Jardine celebrate the breadth of The Beach Boys’ catalogue, from familiar favourites to songs that audiences hear less often on stage.

Within that setting, Stephen’s reading gave poetry its own place in the evening. It was a chance to hear directly from a writer whose words form part of the history being celebrated—and whose creative work continues today.

Watch “The Tale of Man”

We’re delighted to share this recording of Stephen performing “The Tale of Man” with Al Jardine and The Pet Sounds Band. Enjoy the performance below and another chapter in Stephen’s enduring connection with this remarkable musical community.

Watch the performance on YouTube →