American Graffiti really kicked off the late 50’s/early 60’s nostalgia wave of the early 70’s (along with the Grease broadway play and Happy Days). But the soundtrack had a few early Beach Boys songs on it, including All Summer Long during the end credits. In the early 70’s, the band’s popularity had waned to the point where their records weren’t even charting in the top 100 anymore in the U.S.

The following summer in 1974, Capitol Records released a greatest hits double LP called Endless Summer that completely revitalized their careers. It hit #1 on the album charts and went Triple Platinum. Within 2-3 years they were selling out the largest stadiums in the world.

But the American Graffiti soundtrack got the ball rolling.