High school revises Brian Wilson’s F in music from 58 years ago

January 17, 2018 1:44 PM

Kaitlyn Walsh

Posted: January 17, 2018 1:44 PM

Updated: May 24, 2021 8:01 PM

by Kaitlyn Walsh

Fifty-eight years after receiving a failing grade from his high school music teacher, The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson received a long overdue A on the song that would become the band’s first single.

Wilson visited his alma mater, Hawthorne High School in Los Angeles County, California, on Jan. 15, NPR reported. There, his teacher, Fred Morgan, gave him an F on a ditty that turned into “Surfin,” The Beach Boys’ breakout hit in 1961.

Hawthorne’s current principal, Dr. Vanessa Landesfeind, issued a correction, revising Wilson’s academic history and giving him an A.

Brian’s high school music teacher Fred Morgan: “Brian wrote a composition for me and it turned out to be ‘Surfin.’ That composition got an F, but it made a million dollars.” Brian’s failing grade has now been changed to an A on this assignment by Dr. Landesfeind! pic.twitter.com/ICANT605Kx

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) January 15, 2018

Other notable Hawthorne High School alums include the rest of the original lineup of The Beach Boys: Brian Wilson’s brothers, Dennis and Carl; their cousin, Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine.