Mike Love on the Secret History of the Beach Boys

Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love, author of the new memoir “Good Vibrations,” reveals inside stories about the group, bandmate Brian Wilson and the Beatles.
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[@dububro]

Mike Love really brings something unique to the Beach Boys. After all, not many bands have a villain.

[@missmontu]

LOL.... The Beatles and Yoko Ono, AKA the villain.

[@jakeornot6306]

Yeah but John picked her, didn't he. (Not that I cared at all about John anyway).

[@thewkovacs316]

the heroes and villains

[@barbara8756]

😂😂😂😂

[@sallybrown4947]

He wrote the Lyrics to almost all of their hits. You don't know anything about the Beach boys but what you watched in bad documentaries!!!

[@patricialambert3110]

So if Mike Love's dad just died, then his dad must have been a really OLD man. He outlived Brian's father by over 40 years!

[@anthonylove8146]

He was 92, Mike's dad's brother Stan also lived to 92

[@alhillx]

"I'm fascinated by languages and other cultures...I studied Spanish"...Mike Love

[@pooky1959]

Pretty deep, Mike. 😂😂😂

[@lowenbad]

Translation: I took a Spanish class in high school.

[@inmundo6927]

is spanish not a language from another culture?

[@weezadam]

The most interesting part of this interview is the fact that the interviewer's name is Chris Farley

[@aolhorsebiz]

But, it wasn't THE Chris Farley.

[@thisplaceisazoo]

Um, remember the time at the Beatles hall of fame ceremony and you dissed Paul McCartney, and called the Beatles the mop tops publicly at their own ceremony?? --- --- that was awesome! (NOT)

[@Tom-V]

I respect Mike Love!

[@justinmertes]

I'm not the biggest Mike fan, but I feel like sometimes he gets too bad of a rap. He still publicly calls Brian the quarterback, calls him unbelievably gifted, and talks kindly about the band. Say what you want, but his voice was important to the Beach Boys success, as were his lyrics and writing. Again, not defending his actions and opinions, or his lies, but just saying that the "Mike is the worst person ever" trend seems to be a bit unfair.

[@pschlosb]

You're absolutely correct Justin. Mike doesn't deserve all the negativity he gets. Mike seems like a really cool guy.

[@kellymarshall8878]

Read Mike's book. I read it for free, from the library. Mike comes across like a vindictive prick, pissing on Dennis' memory, settling bizarre old scores with Al Jardine, and whining about how he couldn't write Pet Sounds with Brian.

[@deweypug]

To some degree I agree with you. He comes off as a very pleasant man in this interview - but the way he threatened Brian with song credits and sued him for royalties for songs he had no input on writing still makes me not like him.

[@justinmertes]

deweypug I agree. I'm with you, I'm not a big fan. But it's the "Mike Love is just a living cancer" trend that I can't get behind.

[@joshie1956]

Why did he wait 50 bloody years to sue then

[@ts5792]

I have to admit, Mike sounds and looks pretty good for his age

[@whiteshadow59]

people with no stress, i.e narcissists age well

[@RadarProductions]

@@whiteshadow59 I would suspect narcissist would have lots of stress worrying about themselves

[@violinmke]

Never hit the bottle or had a bad drug habit and is a TM meditation nut.

[@justmadeit2]

Mike comes in for a lot of criticism on nearly every beach boys vid, well I've created something to correct this, simply type in search above the following title.... In defence of Mike Love Part 2

[@Abcd-df2ep]

@@whiteshadow59 then we have to be narcissist then, it's healthy. Or I missed it with confident.

[@zurdoremi]

Mike was instrumental in the sound of The Beach Boys with his hooks and vocal bass lines. Anyone who thinks he was not a pivot member of the group, does not understand The Beach Boys. I first heard them in 1963, a neighbor had all the Surf music albums. The Ventures, Jan & Dean, you name it, but the group that caught my attention was The Beach Boys.

[@mrfixxxer118]

Over and over the crow cries uncover the cornfield, over and over the thresher and hover the wheatfield

[@NOWtheband]

A great lyric.

[@superlove35]

Don't let mike love see those lyrics! His head will explode.

[@NOWtheband]

@Joe Cool - Ah, I should have made it explicit that when I wrote "A great lyric" that I was actually expressing my own opinion and not yours. I'm very sorry that did not come across in my original post and I can understand why anyone might think I was writing on your behalf but I honestly wasn't. I was merely stating what I perceive it to be, which is a great lyric. ;-)

[@jcc2917]

@@NOWtheband Yeah, it's a great a lyric. Very poetic and suits the music. It's perfect.

[@NOWtheband]

@@jcc2917 - Right on. :-)

[@TheWardBond]

I'm not a huge fan of Mike Love, but this is one of the best interviews I've seen with him...great stuff.

[@StephenMountenayHenhawke]

He sued the interviewer afterwords though

[@atlasgunther8947]

@@StephenMountenayHenhawke why?

[@knockedoutloaded279]

he deserves credit

[@89KoopaTroopa]

For what? Brian wrote those tracks and played on the albums. Mike didn't play anything except for a sax.

[@ajsmith]

Mike wrote the lyrics (and even a few of the hooks) and sang them beautifully. That's what he deserves credit for.

[@dantackett4109]

He played two notes on the sax! That doesn't make him a sax player!

[@USCG.Brennan]

Thanks Mike for the Music and the MANY MANY Memories during my "growing up years" of the '60s. I've been to several BB concerts (late '70s and mid 80s) in Spokane WA and loved them all..... My 4 kids grew up knowing BB songs also .because I'd play them while we'd cruise in one of my Classic Cars that we had restored together as family projects (Chevelles, Mustangs, Chargers and Impalas).

[@49ccMopedWorld]

This guy is pretty okay. Stop bullying him. Mike Love and his contribution to music cannot be denied. Period.

[@kens2328]

I agree. I think his voice is just as important as Brian’s in The Beach Boys catalogue. I think all of them can be accused of bad behavior at one time or another during their careers. I also don’t have much difficulty seeing Murray trying to screw him out of songwriting credits. Murray was the real a$$hole here.

[@bhertzbe]

Ken S - what you smokin’? The Beach Boys could have easily existed without Mike, but never without Brian.

[@BetKev13]

Thank You! Mike Love 💘 for just being you! I saw an old video, from a Live Beach Boys Show, where You sang Your Lead Vocal Part, and played a Therimin Instrument, perfectly! Plus You played Your Saxophone 🎷 very well too! Always The Lead Singer Front Man Of The Beach Boys!

[@DLBMOS]

I like Mike

[@joinjen3854]

Regardless of your opinions about personalities.. the Beach Boys have always been FANTASTIC and very important to the US and world music scene. During the time of the British Invasion... the BB were " our" guys if you are an American and their songs about the beach, the surf, cars, relationships etc are #Timeless. What fantastic music that will live on and on.

[@samanasif6042]

i was at school in england at the same time and when the american invasion hit the UK the beach boys became massive. seniors at school would go around asking, "are you beach boys or beatles and the answer was usually "beach boys", to which they responded, "you're with us then". and i still love them the most!

[@mrajczyk]

his lawyer claimed he helped with Wouldn't It Be Nice by telephoning Brian (who was in the studio at the time Love was on tour) when he went to the bathroom, so nobody saw this.

[@ROCKSTARCRANE]

Somebody should have asked him about his delightful brother Stan and friend Rocky Pampinella (who Marylin had been seeing at the time) who took great pleasure in beating Dennis unconscious one night in Santa Monica. Then there's the piano incident at a convention when Mike tried to push a one ton grand piano - with Brian playing it - off the stage and into the audience....

[@Intake124]

ROCKSTARCRANE source(s)? I'd love to read about those incidents.

[@johngiglio7327]

Cody Morgan incident when Dennis was beaten is well known, don’t know about the other. Mike hated Dennis wanted him out for quite awhile. Dennis’s drug and alcohol addiction caused many of the problems and then Dennis started seeing Mike ‘s daughter was really the last straw

[@troyelich9307]

Around 28:55 he talks about how his mother used to wake him up for school with opera music. Ironically, that's how I discovered The Beach Boys. My mother thought she was forcing me awake with her "lousy 60's music". What she actually did was turn me on to The Beach Boys when I was about 10 years old in 1985 and I totally became hooked on them and have been ever since. Every stinking morning I'd wake up to "let's go surfin now...everybody's learnin' how...come on and safari with meeee...." It was like groundhog day. But it hooked me.

[@jimmieroan9881]

you mean because all their shit sounded alike and if you didn't pay attention you would have no idea which song it was, fuck these drug brain dead pissbags, just because someone is famous because of a bunch of dumass morons liking a sound some record company cleaned up and mixed a lot to sell doesn't mean these pricks are Gods, wasn't it dennis that introduced mansion to the celebrities he and his slaves slaughtered.

[@troyelich9307]

Whoa....you're an angry person.

[@susanallen5751]

jimmie Roan Manson

[@ChipsAplentyBand]

I'm very happy to have this interview with Mike, who has written some of the most wonderful lyrics to some of America's/the world's favorite songs. "The Warmth of the Sun" in particular still touches my heart-as such a spot-on evocation of the very feelings it denotes-and remains one of my top five favorite Beach Boys songs. If I could sit down with Mike Love for an hour I would ask him to please share with me everything he feels I should know about writing effective song lyrics and moving an audience. If I could sit down with Mike for just two minutes I would say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all his wonderful lyrics and recordings, including his writing on some of the cuts on the Beach Boys 50th anniversary album THAT'S WHY GOD MADE THE RADIO. The situation with Murry's selling off of Brian's and Mike's BB catalog without their permission, and the subsequent situation between Mike and Brian in the realm of Mike's compensation lawsuit during the 1990s, are none of my business personally, but as a composer, songwriter, and (occasional) lyricist I defend Mike's deserving of professional and legal recognition and compensation for his lyrics. If Mike himself should ever read this comment, I would leave him with the suggestion that he consider writing/publishing a book for prospective songwriters on the topic of the art of writing song lyrics.

[@knockedoutloaded279]

His voice and lyrics helped the Beach boys be the beach boys. They don't sound the same without his voice blending. Its like saying the beatles didn't need george harrison.

[@Cat-vi9wz]

Mike Love is no George Harrison. Come on man

[@1401minstrel]

I get your point, but the roles of Mike Love and George Harrison in their respective groups are not comparable. Carl Wilson and George Harrison are a different story, however. They are very comparable.

[@Cat-vi9wz]

I can see that a bit more, yeah

[@robertlerma1029]

Mike wrote some great lyrics! "The Warmth of the Sun"!

[@user-cm9nn9mf6s]

yes - brilliant! “flip phone flip phone ur so fine. flip phone flip phone glad ur mine”. amazing!!!

[@irenegewinner8193]

Brian knows, and proudly says, what a good voice Mike has. I don't know who wrote what, but Brian's solo album, "Smile" is exquisite, so we know that Brian can write and produce a masterpiece. Enough said.

[@dububro]

@Mike Davis yeah he joked about the nasal thing but Mike can sing (or could sing) very well when he wanted to. That's Not Me, Here Today, Aren't You Glad, and All I Wanna Do are all great Mike leads

[@sallybrown4947]

Brian had the choice to use anyone on California Girls and he used Mike as he did on almost all of the hits. Mike wrote all of the lyrics on California Girls. amazing how much people think they know about the Beach boys. In reality they know nothing!! @mikedavis8008

[@thedisheveledplayboys]

​@@dububroWell put. Mike really shines on the outro to the song Surf's Up as well. Great vocals.

[@jimmaculate5]

Enjoyed it, great stage set-up, too.

[@Wolfsky9]

Mike never did get the credit for 2 things, crucial to the success of The Boys : 1. Lyric ability ----------2. His note-perfect, bass voice. Both, were indispensable in the sound of the group, & the beautiful lyrics so many songs had, ie, " The Warmth Of The Sun". -------------------------WolfSky9, 73 y/o

[@jcc2917]

Mike was a tenor not a bass voice

[@jlee2383]

@@jcc2917 wrong. He had a great bass voice that was at the bottom of all their harmony singing. When he sang lead, yes he sings with a higher nasally voice, but not when harmonizing with the other guys.

[@markv2596]

Love The Beach Boys, love Brian, Dennis, Carl, Al, and Bruce. Also, Love Mike. I understand that many out there hate him, but I think most out there are just jumping on the band wagon of "Mike Love is a douche' But none of us were there when Brian & Mike wrote the songs. Sure, he may have wanted to stay with surf songs, girls on the beach, hot rods etc, but while The Beach Boys were on tour without Brian, Brian stayed at home and wrote and composed new songs without the rest of the band and when they came back, Brian had changed their direction. That must of hurt the band, but to their credit, they accepted the new sound of The Beach Boys. But lets be honest here, Pet Sounds didn't do well when first released, so, maybe Mike had a point about "Don't fuck with the formula" And remember, Brian had Murray breathing down his neck, not Mike. Kokomo may not be the best song by The Beach Boys, but it went to number 1. It made people love the Beach Boys again. Sure, Mike did some stupid things in the past, most have, firing the band after 2012, may not be the best idea, and his Rock n Roll Hall of Fame speech was not a good move. Mike said that he was pissed off with the drugs that had a grip on Dennis, not pissed at Dennis. Yeah, he was lucky to have the Wilsons as cousins, for he may not have been part of the band if he wasn't. But lets don't go for that "I hate Mike Love" Just enjoy the music.

[@alberttatlock5237]

Mark V I agree, many just jump on the band wagon of I hate Mike love, the fact is without Mike love the beach boys wouldn't have been nearly as good, he sang lead on many of their best songs. Mike was their at the start, he knew what went on in the band.

[@_peachbeach]

great interview the interviewer is great mike love is great ... thank you!

[@mrfixxxer118]

Columnated Ruins Domino

[@DveMcGuire]

Awful lyric

[@superlove35]

Best lyric ever. Unless your mike love in which case it's awful.

[@YiaMdj]

@DJ L33 what do you mean it means nothing? It's vibrant imagery

[@michael3270]

@DJ L33 means nothing?? It's imagery refers to a decay of society, obviously. Come on man!

[@EIDTII]

@DJ L33 ooh look we have an edgy contrarian on the loose! Its a great lyric. Enough said.

[@sealevelbear]

Great interview!

[@fredfender8272]

I can never make it through a full interview with this guy.

[@photonotavailable7936]

Yeah I know, I was just thinking the same. I just put in a pause so I could scroll down this page to read some the comments. What is it about Mike Love. Hmm.

[@loismccormack2485]

Over here in the UK they were always compared unfavourably to the Beatles but in my opinion they were far superior 😊

[@BetKev13]

Try to search for "Mick Jagger Inducts The Beatles Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame". Then be curious about what "The Truth" is all about, "All Those Years Ago".

[@spacepatrolman]

16:26 Mike explains that Dennis Wilson told him that he witnessed Charles Manson kill a black man

[@misterocain]

You know what? That was a great interview.

[@TooBokoo]

God, I love being Mike Love - Mike Love

[@MrBozzone]

Biggest frustration for mr. Love must have been not having the talent of someone so close to him for almost all his life as Brian Wilson. But being so close to Brian also brought some creativity out of him, with some fine results.

[@Bassguitar1231]

mike your singing is an intricate , essential, unique part of the Beach Boys sound as your lyrics define the songs, you seem to be a magnet for haters and bad press, i cannot express how much your message has enriched my life, im sure the haters will now comment, thanks for enriching my life!

[@zephyrquartz]

When one tries to emit goodness, especially on a grand scale, negative energies fight back.

[@Jameswilliam1982]

Any jackass could be a mike love frontman, haha

[@jimmmmybrady]

God bless you Oliver ! There are many sheep who attack Mike Love.The Sheep hate the fact that he was/is anti drugs,they hate the fact that Brian's drug use destroyed his brain/life,but most of all they hate Mike Love's CONSERVATISM !

[@AlexDeLarge1]

oliver harmon He’s a good singer and he wrote decent pop songs, but he’s no auteur.

[@AlexDeLarge1]

jimmmmybrady We also hate people who don’t capitalize their sentences. If drugs destroy people’s brains then why have I taken LSD 30 times and can still write and punctuate my sentences properly, while you can’t?

[@Wolfsky9]

Having read the book, it really doesn't say anything I didn't already know. ---------THAT said, I still enjoyed reading Mike's perspective on all those years, & his relations with all the members. ------------One must know, Mike & Brian, being so different, an inevitable clash was unavoidable. Yes, they wrote well, BW the music, Mike, the lyrics-------but as 2 men so different, their differences would overwhelm BW & the entire group. ------------What mike DOES NOT TALK ABOUT ENOUGH, was his fractured relationship with Dennis. That became so toxic, it nearly destroyed the group, & both men. ------THAT, & mike's continues refusal to pay proper respect To Carl, who was Musical director, & music leader, unquestioned. That saddens me, because he & Carl had at least, a respect for one another. ----------------Wolfsky9, 73 y/o

[@monicab28]

Even if he's this biggest jerk on the world, his contributions to the Beach Boys can't be overlooked! Some of their best songs were co-written by Love. His voice is also such a part of the band that without him, I don't think they would have been the Beach Boys that we know and love.

[@videocat1366]

True.

[@johndoyle2429]

Not a big Mike love fan, but @monicab I would agree with you their as well, He still part of the beachboys success, even Brian wilson admits to that.

[@sallybrown4947]

People have watched all of these documentaries and think they know the truth about mike or the beach boys. Mike wrote all of the lyrics to almost all of their hits. He sings on almost every single Beach boys song and Pet sounds and Smile of which most people like to make him a Villain on. Cheers Monicab28

[@natebrummer6085]

I'm glad Paul McCartney doesn't where a Beatles hat all the time

[@tomk3620]

Hes not bald like Mike Love,

[@thomaspick4123]

Frank Stall Amen, Faul was only there for the last few years. See Paul v Faul Playing Bass clip. Mike has his side of the story to tell. Murray screwed Mike on the publishing writes. Mike has many good and bad points.

[@jerres9585]

XD I think it's awesome.. always reppin my favorite band of all time so I'm with him on that one XD

[@jimfowler2600]

Well Sir Paul isn’t bald, Mike Love is! That’s why he wears a hat all the time

[@jamesdunn9714]

"wear" not "where.

[@Mutantcy1992]

He doesn't mention the source of "vibrations" for the chorus of Good Vibrations...

[@MidwestBriar]

I always thought that I didn't really like this guy. I was wrong. And the WSJ pointed it out?!

[@petermeter8221]

The interviewer brings up Mick Jagger 😂

[@GeoffPace7734]

I appreciate Mike's candor about hos relationship with his first cousin Brian Wilson. May he continue to write and ding the way he feelz about life.

[@NOWtheband]

Good chap.

[@WestSeaSpirit]

Say whatever you want Mike Love is a Beach Boy and he's still alive! His voice was first heard on stage on the greatest hit Surfin USA! He's awesome just shut up and listen. He's mature and probably the strongest 1!

[@brysonfuller7719]

He literally guilted his cousin into making music he hated because he knew without Brian they would fail, he didn’t want Brian to go solo, but didn’t want to do Brian’s new material. He’s sure hung onto his ego.

[@WestSeaSpirit]

@@brysonfuller7719 get over it. They have.

[@cazgerald9471]

I just came here to read all the LOVEly comments.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

So...I watched a Dan Rather interview in which Love describes some of the 'Manson' era problems he witnessed at cousin Dennis's house.Love encountered Manson there, at the home, listened to some of Manson's bullshit philosophies...Love took a shower for whatever reason, and Manson pulls a curtain back and tells Love "You're not allowed to leave the Group!"...Love gets dressed and leaves. (Love said when he got to Dennis's house, everyone was nude...like two of Manson's girls and Dennis and whoever else was there)Love then tells Rather that..." I saw Dennis later at (somewhere, D.s house maybe) and Dennis was upset and I asked him 'what wrong?' and Love says that Dennis told him he'd been out at the 'Spahn Ranch' and Manson had shot some Black guy in-half with an assault-rifle and then shoved the body parts down a well".WTF???I've been to that 'Ranch' 2x and there is NO WELL and never has been a 'well'...the ranch did have a windmill-type water pumping station that likely hasn't worked since before WW2, and you would be hard-pressed to shove a bunny-rabbit into a 3-inch diameter hole!So...Love or Dennis never bothered to make an anonymous phone-call? Too much fuckin' effort or what!?!?Here's my point, if any...Love 'created' a fucking story that can be easily disproven, like many of his 'stories', to promote his 'tell-all' (presumably) book!Also...Love forgets that there are still Manson 'followers' alive who have NEVER given testimony to any such incident...and Bugliosi would certainly have made it public after nearly fifty years of creating a career out of 'The Manson Family'.In other words, Mike Love makes shit up when it suits his interests to do so!Yes...I believe him when he says "Hey...I wrote a lot of lyrics to a lot of songs that I never got any recognition or money for that's rightfully mine". Brian says so as well, and has said it for many years.The part Love leaves out is that Brian 'got fucked' out of money as well! When Murry Wilson sold-off the publishing rights to "Sea of Tunes" for a flat-fee (without anyone knowing in advance) it meant ALL the songs from '62 thru 65 went with it!That means 'no royalties' for ANYONE in the "Beach Boys!"So...WTF is Love still moaning and pissing about?

[@mrsmacca126]

Gerry Nightingale Thank you, Gerry!!! I tried to say what you ma naked to put across so succinctly and particularly. I failed miserably!! You hit the nail on the head. I was so angry I couldn't think straight. What a relief to come across your post!!!

[@violinmke]

Brian got them back and 10 million dollars. Mike sued and won half 5 mil.

[@catsofsherman1316]

I happen to be reading Mike's book right now and this video pops up in my feed on youtube. The folks at google/youtube are reading my mind. It's kinda scary.

[@SlickNickVids]

I just saw The Beach Boys in concert tonight.

[@whiteandright1958]

No you did not see the BB. What you saw was Mike Love singing with a cover band.

[@mrsmacca126]

BRIAN WRTOTE THE LINE "I'M PICKIN UP GOOD VIBRATIONS." His mother said this line to him when explaining w by dogs sdometimesx bark at perople for no APPARENT reaso n. Mike lies so often that its effortless

[@brubeck1]

lovin that shirt.

[@vickielawson3114]

I try to like Mike because he was part of my favorite music group, but I have to take everything he says with a huge grain of salt.

[@ifeelafool]

not much of a grain isnt it? 😅

[@Guitar6ty]

The BBs were the sound of the age when days were full of hope the sun was gold when we were all young and not grown old.

[@9171961jo]

26:47, " Your Right Mike"!

[@catherinehooper9039]

Love the paisley! I wore green pailsley!

[@dantruitt5495]

The reason people don't like Mike Love is because he has always neglected to honestly answer the question, "Would I still be worth $80 million if Brian Wilson had never been born?

[@roberttrout963]

He looks great.

[@barron975]

Say what you want about Mike Love..And his tongue can be an unbridled beast.. He definitely had the sense to keep his wits about himself..articulate , sharp minded..and yes arrogant..My one friend was a chaueffer..the Limo Driver.. for the Beach Buys and Mike Love was in Limo sitting behind the driver..He proceeded to say "I can't wait to get back to California where real people are..Mike youra schmuck..yes we all have a friend like that..and Mike Love is the Beachboys.. Peace and Love!

[@johnedward8352]

People can judge the actions of others all they want.... Mike Love is a living legend and long live the magic of the Beach Boys! My first concert, 5th grade c. 1987.

[@OverlandOne]

Mike Love is a living Douche Bag. My first concert, 1969.

[@joshie1956]

I have just watched a short doc called the Beach Boys endless harmony regarding how Carl was the ears of the band re harmonies and stuff, and it is after he had died. Brian is saying how much he misses him and that he was the main man but then proceeds to say well him and Mike. Why did he feel he had to even mention Mike the egotist in the same context, he obviously didn't want to upset him even when he was talking about the loss if his brother. Mike Love was not in the same category as Carl and never will be, it was Carl that kept them going when Brian was going through his breakdown. He took the lead and did it with his heart and soul. Could ML have done that? I don't think so. Love and miss you Carl you were the best,it's sad you had to leave us soon. 💔

[@johnohill463]

Watch it again mate. Carl was great but it was Brian who had the ear for music, and it was Brian that came up with the harmonies, the music and the arrangements for the Beach Boys. Brian also produced the Band's records. Watch a good little Doc called Pet Stories. Watch this one again 6:30 in. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6TalaiNlsagjKc Kind Regards . John.

[@tunesmusic8929]

So nice that they gave an ex Walmart greeter , like Mike Love a chance to express his views - to bad Mike seems to think he is important - even after getting fired for not greeting people correctly.

[@whiteandright1958]

You waited centuries to write YOUR version of BB history because you had to wait for Carl and Dennis to die so they could not call you out for your lies.

[@hydra5019]

I think he needed to get over the Smile lyrics They may not have been meaningful in the Mike Love way. But it was poetry by a genius. Van Dyk Parks. And incredible tracks by Brian. He needed to stop being so shallow

[@kellymarshall8878]

Mike IS shallow. He thinks people only want to hear boy/girl, car, and beach lyrics.

[@pschlosb]

i dont agree Kelly. i can't see how Mike Love can be characterized as shallow. He's a very deep person. He just had a different style that's all. The abstract or obtuse lyrics weren't his thing, but i don't think that makes him shallow. i've studied Mike Love and he has a very strong appreciation for deep topics, and that can be seen in this interview. Meditation and spirituality are very deep topics and Mike is a long time committed meditator.. I love Brian Wilson, and he may be my favorite Beach Boy but i also like Mike. Mike Love is very correct that Brian made a big mistake in getting involved in hallucinogenic and other strong drugs. Even Brian admits that. Mike has in more recent years written songs dealing with more serious topics so its not true that he only wants to hear the types of songs u mentioned.

[@kellymarshall8878]

I'm sure meditating helped Mike Love when he called Mick Jagger a chickenshit at the Beach Boys RR Hall of Fame induction and ruined the night for the rest of the band. Mike did have his place in the Beach Boys, I will give him that. He was great at writing lyrics to Brian's music. Brian has said this. But when Brian or the band(Carl/Dennis) wanted to go in a different direction, Mike resisted change and growth. Mike turned the band into a nostalgia act singing the car and surfing songs. Which is sad, because Mike had some awesome music in the 70s with songs like "California Saga." But after Endless Summer sold well, Mike wanted to focus on the oldies while Dennis was making bad ass 70s rock. The Beach Boys should have been Dennis' band at that point. As for favorite Beach Boys, I like all of them, but Mike's personality is grating. I love Mike's contributions to the band but can't respect the man, he's said and done too many nasty things over the years.

[@pschlosb]

thats fine Kelly, you can like or hate whomever u want. im not gonna try and change your view, we can agree to disagree. But i will express my view. in my opinion youre judging someone and getting stuck on things that happened for the most part years and years ago. People make all kinds of mistakes in life. Dont u think he might have learned some things in 75 years of living? He did seem like a bit nastier when he was younger but I think now hes a class act from all the stuff ive seen,. Hes grown and is very positive. hes always complimenting Brian and others. I like Brian too, but lets not try and paint him as a saint either, hes done and said plenty of stupid things over the years too. I really do like Brian hes a lovable kind of guy, but his whole life was extremely unfortunate and he let the band down by bailing out on them for a number of years. i understand hes got mental illness so it wasnt something he had complete control over. Mike was consistent and was the business mind of the group AND songwriter AND lead singer, but doesnt get the credit he deserves, and was screwed over by Brian's father. Hes always been there as a mainstay and kept them going over the years. In most bands the lead singer gets tons of attention. Mike is really a great performer and i think the others are jealous of him, and they dont give him the credit that he gives them. Yes Brian deserves all the credit hes gotten as a musical genius, thats all true. At the beginning he was the creative talent that made them what they were, but one person does not make a band.

[@chuckcappelen3596]

Jim Dandy k

[@andrewbaker3281]

I really am not a fan of mike, but I’d kill to be able to sit down and just talk to him like this

[@pacz8114]

(What's the connection to business or economics? Why did the Wall Street Journal do this?)

[@thomaspick4123]

Good job Mike. Finally, an interview with no antics. Thanks for acting normal. This sensible interview will do much to correct the misunderstandings people have concerning your personality. Your lyric writing was wonderful. Your efforts keeping the band performing were instrumental in keeping the band together. Your parents, I suspect, were not Christians. You still have an opportunity to read the Holy Bible and make your decision before you die. Attend a church which teaches and studies the Holy Bible. You will meet fellow believers who will support you. One if your later songs I like was, "Sumahama". Beautiful melody and instrumentation. I wish you good health and joyful reading. The interviewer did a respectful job in drawing you out.

[@noahh9472]

I really hope mike gets a chance to write new music with his cousin even if doesnt get realsed just to have them together jamming would be awsome

[@rolandrodriguez3854]

Mike Love is an awesome guy. Reminds me of a few friends i have currently. Cool dude.

[@mrsmacca126]

How many rings does one person need???? The HAT. WHY isn't he wearing his "I LOVE MYSELF" teee shirt??

[@gronxman1]

Brian Wilson left to his own devices gave us Pet Sounds, Smile etc. Brilliant master works! Brian Wilson in collaboration with Mike Love gave us some of the greatest pop/rock hits of all time. Again... brilliant! At times Brian worked well with his cousin Mike. Deal with it!

[@sambrockelsby522]

Hear him at the end discussing whether SMiLE would've "changed rock history" if only he'd been asked to write the lyrics. What a joke. You think Mike Love could've written something like "Surf's Up" or "Heroes and Villains"? He hated the lyrics in those songs. Stick with the cars and girls and leave the proper writing to the big boys Mike.

[@3798penisholder]

Mike love isn’t absolutely miserable. But he certainly isnt great either. You know?

[@EyMeng]

who would win in a fight, Mike Love or PJ Proby

[@musicfanhawk4523]

Pj Proby

[@jccusell]

Saying "Brian Wilson." would not take 38:17 yet would answer the question better.

[@jimilee4609]

Mike Love made a lot sense here ..... I think he was honest!

[@markusrose9667]

Easy to hate on this guy but the fact is that he wrote with Brian more than anyone else.

[@lamper2]

I never liked mike love till i read his book

[@violinmke]

Read his book Good Vibrations My Life as a Beach Boy. I saw him in a different light. That band experienced a lot of tragedy and we're quite lucky to have Brian touring and Mike's as well.

[@peterhendriks4736]

At least he is very articulate.

[@justmadeit2]

In the search bar above type in.....'In defence of Mike Love'

[@michaelr4063]

I'm gonna say it. I am such a fan of Brian Wilson I cannot properly put it in words. Best I can do is say he speaks to my soul through his music. Musically... To me... He is a God amongst mere mortals. I love Mike for being one of greatest front men on a live stage. Right up there with Jagger. Brilliant lyricist.. Brilliant hooks. The problem I've always had with Mike is hard as he tries.. Every interview I have ever heard him do.. He cannot keep the seething jealousy, bitterness, and anger from floating to the surface. And if you bait him he bites every time! I don't think he will ever be able to accept the fact that Brian's "Mrs. O'Learys' Cow (Fire)" (just one small example) is better than anything he has ever written. That being said, in hindsight, I don't think Mike stopped the 'SMiLE' project. I don't think he had the power to do so. That was a result of Brian losing reality due to the drugs. All that being said.. If you peel away the layers of anger and jealousy I think Mike has some valid points so I'll give this a chance. I've always wanted to like him but he just makes it so difficult.

[@gerrynightingale9045]

I think Capitol Records had more to do with 'release/or not release' of the SMilE LP. In short...the PR dept. HATED all the tracks.They wanted a traditional 'B.B.'s album, with the 'sound' that made the 'B.B.'s' famous (I can't say I blame them, at least not when it comes to potential of 'sales'...Capitol is in the business of making money$$$, not 'avant garde artistic expressions' that have very questionable 'Hit' possibilities)

[@AiMR]

I think you underestimate the power some people have to suck all the energy from a person's soul.

[@bobbillings]

Mike love is a little douche coup e

[@countof3everybodyOD]

Michael R he contributed just words

[@OverlandOne]

Yes, just words, and only a line or two at that. Some were pretty good lines but, that is NOT writing a song and he did NOTHING musically...yet he now claims he wrote all of these songs..

[@danielfrederic8321]

In terms of the band as a ship crew: Brian - the captain, Carl - the first mate/chief officer, Dennis - the navigator, Al - the head chef, David Marks - the cadet, Bruce - the passenger, and ML - the garbage collector/housekeeping

[@nashdrifter3629]

Beautiful!

[@edwinhopkins0]

My group

[@slick222]

Mike Love tried to tried to throw more weight around than he had. He became a "rock star" ego monster when the guy truly responsible for the Beach Boys success didn't. It was a bad look. I don't find anything about him to be particularly terrible. Great voice for sure. He just played his cards kinda bad PR-wise, and it sounds like in the band too. He was lucky to be along for that ride. In general a "band" proves why democracy doesn't work over time. There is usually one or two guys responsible and everyone pretends at equality when it makes no sense, and generates resentment in all direction. It was Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys the whole time.

[@violinmke]

He owns the name and pre pandemic toured up to 150 dates a year.

[@RychleTube]

Why is everyone so upset with Mike Love? He always talks about Brian as a very talented guy. If he sued Brian for not giving him credit for writing some songs, than there had to be something behind it. How do we know whether he did or didn't write these songs? Maybe he was short on money, and that's why he finally decided to bring this to court. Mike Love was a huge part of the BB, it wouldn't be the same without him, his voice was unique. Also, why is everyone hating on Mike because he didn't like Brian's 'Smile' album? None of the band members liked it, and who knows, what would WE think if we were in the BB's place? I mean, the album is beautiful, but would we feel the same about it in the late 60's knowing that music is the only way we can make living off? The guys were just worried about their careers, they weren't sure if this experimental album would do well. There are some mystery things about the Beach Boys with everyone claiming something different. You can't just come and say Mike Love is a bad guy... we weren't there back in the 60's.

[@davidseals352]

RychleTube and there was a reason Mike won the lawsuit. Brian’s biggest contribution to music was The Beach Boys and there probably wouldn’t be what is now referred to as the touring Beach Boys band if not for Mike.

[@oshawaxpress]

Lenny Kravitz once shouted 'Go Joe' to Joe Perry during an Aerosmith recording session and was given writing credits for the song that was being recorded at the time. The problem is that without Brian there would have been no songs, therefore no requirement for lyrics. Also, Mike Love frequently implies that he was as important as his cousin in the creation of the songs in the truly 'musical' sense, which is palpably absurd.

[@brendanpeahl7055]

To defend Mike, even if someone contributes to a song in the slightest by inspiring lyrics, title, chords or melody, they still legally get a songwriting credit . So Mike Love has the right the get credit for the songs he contributed to. Yet morally, he shouldn’t toot his own horn about how much he actually did contribute. To be fair he does acknowledge Brian’s genius, and does have great affection for him.

[@violinmke]

Morally Murry and Brian should have given it to him. Had to sue Brian and.Brians own interviewa confirmed it. How would you like to have lost millions of money you were owed ? Wouldnt you say, hey wait a minute...

[@maureencimochowski1758]

Mike's voice was so important in the early songs. Yes, he's egotistical but that nasal voice is what we identified with when we first fell in love with that band!

[@OverlandOne]

To quote Brian on one of their first albums: "Anyone can squeak like a mouse." That about sums up Mike's "singing".

[@Geritopia]

When I read “secret” in a title or teaser, I always wonder if it’s BS. I guess I’ll sucker in just to see. So here’s a tip for all you aspiring empire-moguls on KZbin, use “the secret... “ in your titles.

[@cdavidlake2]

If I were Mike I'd want to set the record straight, too. Imagine going down in history as being one of the major reasons for "Smile" getting shelved.

[@cm5065]

A pure soul like Brian would never grant a Wall Street journal interview. Clearly Mike and Brian had different motivations with The Beach Boys music.

[@mikeglossip7598]

Remember the time love was honored at Kennedy Center.....

[@daveconrad8474]

That guy at 31:30 looks like Fred Vail.

[@sofhispalis]

Well, he look honest..

[@bungditdin8019]

Gets A+ in English. Doesn’t know the difference between a metaphor or an analogy... ok Mike

[@jaimejaimeChannel]

name of interviewer? Why do so many commenters seem to hate this guy?

[@aboxofbroken8tracks983]

I've yet to watch an interview of a rock star that didn't bring howling indignation from the commenters at the interviewer. Every. Single. One.

[@OverlandOne]

Easy, he is a lying Douche Bag.

[@redcanoe9810]

Mike's looked like an old guy all his life!

[@tomjones5650]

looking young for 81 y.o.

[@guruuDev]

Wow -- all the negative comments. I thought everything he said sounded completely fair and gracious and on the level. I also think his hooks and lyrics and sensibility are a substantial part of what made the Beachboys success. He and Brian Wilson were the Lennon-McCartney of that band -- to a large extent. I think he indulged crazy Murray trying to rob him of credit and crazy Brian and the Derek Taylor promotion angle of making Brian the monumental lone genius. Then Brian calls HIM egotistical. Give me a break.

[@Xenomachina]

Saying Mike Love was even in the same category as Lennon or McCartney is kind of disrespectful. . Brian, Dennis and Carl were the talent. Any Beach Boy or Wilson historian knows, that they were the talent that drove and made the beach relevant to this day. Without Brian, Beach boys would of not even been a thing nor would Mike Love even been able to be relevant. He ended up without a doubt being the most useless beach boy.

[@ecriturecinematographique2987]

"I was really into languages ... I studied Spanish in school"

[@ecriturecinematographique2987]

*as others

[@artapollo3367]

Say what you want about Love, but he is a great singer and some of his low parts on their acapella type songs as well as background vocals are some of the hardest parts to sing. That's not me, Here Today, All I Want to do and Aren't you glad are great Mike songs. Songs like Their hearts were full of Spring, Our Prayer and The Lord's Prayer have some very crazy low parts he sings. I know the whole history of the Beach Boys and yes I know the things that Mike has maybe said or done but I'm simply saying he's a good singer and that doesn't mean he's a good person but also, what do we really know that is definite truth about everything we hear about Mike, I mean we weren't there