"Darlin'" by Yipes!

Yipes! was a rock band from Wisconsin that managed to score a single entry on the chart in 1980, their rendition of "Darlin'," originally done by The Beach Boys. The Yipes! took their cover version, which is simply outstanding, to #68.

On the same album ("A Bit Irrational"), the Yipes! also did a cover version of "Come See About Me," made famous earlier by The Supremes. In 1981, their label dropped the band but they returned in 2018 with a new (third) record called "Yipes!!!" (you see what they did there?)

"Time" by Carl Wilson

Carl Wilson made his mark on rock and roll history as a co-founder of the Beach Boys with his brothers. But he did not enjoy this type of widespread success as a solo artist. His only chart appearance was a minor hit from 1983 called "What You Do To Me," which stalled at #72.

"Time" is an upbeat pop song that deserved more attention and might have given Carl Wilson's solo act the exposure it needed. But he stopped after releasing two albums in the early 80s, then rejoined the Beach Boys.

Sadly, Wilson passed away at the age of 51 in 1998 from lung cancer.

"Your Imagination" by Brian Wilson

The troubled songwriting genius Brian Wilson has made an indelible mark on music history as co-founder of the Beach Boys with his brothers. Wilson has struggled with substance abuse and mental illness, which has marred his career as a solo artist.

After years of being a recluse, Wilson emerged to record and perform again, sometimes with the Beach Boys. In 1998, a comeback album of sorts was released along with its title track, "Your Imagination." The song nearly put this master of songwriting and harmony back on the Top 100, but it bubbled under.

As one might expect, this kind of talent was passed down through the generations. Brian is the father of Carnie and Wendy Wilson, who were two thirds of the trio comprising Wilson Phillips.

"A Lil' Ain't Enough" by David Lee Roth

The charismatic ham, David Lee Roth, joined a band called Mammoth in the early 70s and helped them become one of the most influential rock groups of the modern era (after they changed their name to Van Halen in 1974). We'll save that story for another day, but suffice it to say that tensions arose and Diamond Dave struck out on his own to pursue a solo career by 1985.

Roth recruited some ace players including guitarist Steve Vai (Frank Zappa's band) and bassist Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), and proved he'd have no trouble scoring hits without the Van Halen brothers...at least for a little while. He had two reach the Top 10, his cover of "California Girls" (originally done by The Beach Boys) reached #3 in 1985 and his original song, "Just Like Paradise," hit #6 in 1988. Other memorable solo hits included his rendition of "Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody" (#12) and "Yankee Rose" (#16).

Roth's final chart appearance to date came in 1988 when "Stand Up" stalled at #64. His follow-up 1991 effort, "A Little Ain't Enough," was classic Roth, but not what ears hungered for anymore. His schtick had grown tiresome, but his career had a revival in reunions with the Van Halen brothers.

If released in the 80s, I'm sure songs from "A Little Ain't Enough" would have performed magnificently, especially the title track, "A Lil' Ain't Enough."

"Linda" by Jan and Dean

Sometimes confused with the Beach Boys, Jan and Dean were a famous surf pop duo of the 60s, first hitting the chart with the #10 smash "Baby Talk" in 1959. Their other biggest hits include the #1 "Surf City" from 1963, "Dead Man's Curve" (#8), and "The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena)" (#3).

The duo's career effectively ended when Jan was badly injured in a car crash in 1966. Dean would later sing on the 1966 Beach Boy hit, "Barbara Ann," but the duo quickly faded into memory until 1978 when their documentary, "Dead Man's Curve," reminded everyone of the tragic story that befell these very talented guys.

"Linda" is one of their lesser-known hits. It reached a respectable #28 on the chart and was released just prior to their biggest hit, "Surf City."

"Springtime Mama" by Henry Gross

Henry Gross, once a member of the doo-wop tribute band Sha Na Na, went solo in the 70s and is best remembered for his top ten hit, "Shannon," which went to #6 in 1976. "Shannon" was a eulogy, written about the passing of Carl Wilson's (Beach Boys) dog. The Beach Boys connection is palpable in the musical style and falsetto frequently used by Gross to nice effect.

"Springtime Mama" was his follow-up single and became his second (and final) top 40 single. More bouncy and upbeat, and not about a dog (to the best of my knowledge), "Springtime Mama" should have done better and made Gross a mainstay at radio beyond 1976.

"See The Light" by The Flame

South African rock band The Flame had a minor hit in the US with "See The Light" in 1970. The Beatles-inspired track only got to #95 and deserved to do much better. Some of the band members went on to play with the Beach Boys through 1975.