The Genius of Mike Love

[Danimalist]

Back in the early days of the 'Net and for quite a while after that, I was one of the Mike bashers who saw him as Satan and Judus rolled into one, while Brian's halo simply shown more brightly with age. But with Mike leading the charge on the new tour, coming up with a constantly changing set list that manages to please nearly every type of fan, singing the praises of Pet Sounds and damning Capital's lackluster promotion efforts back in '66, while subtly pleading his case in the  many recent interviews the Boys have done, I now see Mike for the genius he is. If Brian is the 20th century's Mozart, Mike is almost certainly that era's Wordsworth.

Most of all, it has been the remarks of Bruce Johnston and David Marks in these interviews that have led me to look back at Love. As interviewers slobber over themselves while gloating over Brian's songwriting, producing and arranging prowess, it is left to Bruce and David to point out the equally significant accomplishments of Mike. Thankfully David has several times denoted Mike's unprecedented ability to move from a low to mid-range vocal interval. Bruce is, fortunately, always there to point out Mike's lyrical dexterity and the ease with which he can fit a thrice repeated "fun" into nearly any song. And it was Mike, after all, who added "excitations" to the vernacular. Poor Al has just turned to stale repetition of the "Brian is Genius" mantra, going so far as to claim that "Surf's Up" - a song that can't even maintain a tempo - is one of the Beach Boy's best.

Thank the God who made the radio and only knows that Mike is keeping that one off of our set lists.

I for one am grateful that this tour has given us the opportunity to reevaluate Mike's contribution to the Beach Boys and to the progress of music in 20th century. While, perhaps, merely attempting to secure their future on the county fair circuit, the praise for Mike by Bruce and David has opened my ears and unleashed the Love. Thanks to Mike for making this tour happen and, for those of us who recognize that Wilson-Love > Lennon-McCartney, making this a sum-sum-summer in paradise.

[Ron]

I'll bet that was SOOOOO much cooler in your head. 

[startBBtoday]

I honestly can't tell if this is serious or facetious, but either way... No.

[Danimalist]

Damn Ron, if your other 3209 comments are that witty, I've got some catching up to do!

[the professor]

Back in the early days of the 'Net and for quite a while after that, I was one of the Mike bashers who saw him as Satan and Judus rolled into one, while Brian's halo simply shown more brightly with age. But with Mike leading the charge on the new tour, coming up with a constantly changing set list that manages to please nearly every type of fan, singing the praises of Pet Sounds and damning Capital's lackluster promotion efforts back in '66, while subtly pleading his case in the  many recent interviews the Boys have done, I now see Mike for the genius he is. If Brian is the 20th century's Mozart, Mike is almost certainly that era's Wordsworth.

Most of all, it has been the remarks of Bruce Johnston and David Marks in these interviews that have led me to look back at Love. As interviewers slobber over themselves while gloating over Brian's songwriting, producing and arranging prowess, it is left to Bruce and David to point out the equally significant accomplishments of Mike. Thankfully David has several times denoted Mike's unprecedented ability to move from a low to mid-range vocal interval. Bruce is, fortunately, always there to point out Mike's lyrical dexterity and the ease with which he can fit a thrice repeated "fun" into nearly any song. And it was Mike, after all, who added "excitations" to the vernacular. Poor Al has just turned to stale repetition of the "Brian is Genius" mantra, going so far as to claim that "Surf's Up" - a song that can't even maintain a tempo - is one of the Beach Boy's best.

Thank the God who made the radio and only knows that Mike is keeping that one off of our set lists.

I for one am grateful that this tour has given us the opportunity to reevaluate Mike's contribution to the Beach Boys and to the progress of music in 20th century. While, perhaps, merely attempting to secure their future on the county fair circuit, the praise for Mike by Bruce and David has opened my ears and unleashed the Love. Thanks to Mike for making this tour happen and, for those of us who recognize that Wilson-Love > Lennon-McCartney, making this a sum-sum-summer in paradise.

Why Wordsworth, laddie?  Perhaps because Lyrical Ballads, as Wordsworth explains in his Preface, is about the mind in a state of excitement, leading to "excitations"?  An intriguing parallel. Let's hope Mike does not compose dry sonnets such as "Ode to Duty" in his (still) later years. "Emotions recollected in tranquility" is another chestnut that we can apply to Love as well. . . . .I am quite in accord with your learned historical analogy. And the details you are drawing from the interviews, etc., about Mike's artistry and vocal abilities are spot on, for David is no fool and would not aver such a thing superfluously.

By the way, Daminalist, how many beach boys are there?  I count 5.  What's your count? (This may be esoteric to the community but Daminalist seems likely to know the magic answer).

[Paulos]

9 posts so far from Danimalist and he has claimed that David is a poor guitarist, Mike is a genius and that Surf's Up is a 'song that can't even maintain a tempo'! Funny stuff, lolwut etc.

[Jason]

It's about time that people are learning that Mike's the Greatest!!

[SMiLE Brian]

This has to be a joke, noboby can say that Mike Love is awesome for keeping the setlist free of surf's up.

[AndrewHickey]

Thank the God who made the radio and only knows that Mike is keeping that one off of our set lists.

Who says it's Mike doing that? It's not as if Brian's been exactly keen to perform it himself...

[hypehat]

....going so far as to claim that "Surf's Up" - a song that can't even maintain a tempo - is one of the Beach Boy's best.

Absolutely A+ trolling.

[Mr. Cohen]

Not just anybody can do an interval! What a lot of people don't realize is that Mike Love was very good in English classes in high school - ask him, he'll tell you. This kid was no dumby. He was writing poems as a teenager. This guy had an insatiable appetite for words and turned that into a formidable talent. Plus, he had an true talent for emotion. Whereas Brian thinks "how much can I scare people?" when he writes a song, Mike wonders how he can remind them of the fun glory days of the Beach Boys, when Mike wrote hit songs. Instead of that lame PSA "Oxygen to the Brain", imagine what a hit "Fun, Fun, Fun to the Brain" would've been?

You know, it's gotten to the point now where if Mike doesn't perform "Kokomo" in concert, people ask for a refund. Most people are there to see Mike sing the hits. Yeah, there are few acid alliteration freaks that are there to check out Brian, but who cares about them?

[drbeachboy]

Not just anybody can do an interval! What a lot of people don't realize is that Mike Love was very good in English classes in high school - ask him, he'll tell you. This kid was no dumby. He was writing poems as a teenager. This guy had an insatiable appetite for words and turned that into a formidable talent. Plus, he had an true talent for emotion. Whereas Brian thinks "how much can I scare people?" when he writes a song, Mike wonders how he can remind them of the fun glory days of the Beach Boys, when Mike wrote hit songs. Instead of that lame PSA "Oxygen to the Brain", imagine what a hit "Fun, Fun, Fun to the Brain" would've been?

You know, it's gotten to the point now where if Mike doesn't perform "Kokomo" in concert, people ask for a refund. Most people are there to see Mike sing the hits. Yeah, there are few acid alliteration freaks that are there to check out Brian, but who cares about them?

Jeff put it best; Brian is the artist and Mike is the entertainer. For the most part Mike is correct. Most people who attend the shows want to hear the hits. They pay his salary so to speak. We all work and we do what our bosses and companies ask us to do. If we didn't, we would be out of a job. I have been to enough shows over the last 43 years, and believe me, Mike knows what works and what don't. Remember, we are a small fraction of the total audience and the only ones who get super excited over the deep cuts. Even at the Reunion Show I attended in Atlantic City a couple of weeks ago, most of the audience was very tepid towards the deep cuts, as well as as the lesser known hits. Personally, I don't mind the hit parade, because I feel that those songs show off Brian's genius just as well as the lesser known cuts. I am happy with the blend of songs on this tour.

[tpesky]

The key has always been balance! The BB never figured out after 1980 on a regular basis  that they could still sprinkle in some rarities and play some hits and everyone goes home happy! There were moments 82-83, 88, 93 but they could have always been doing that! Obviously you have to play Good Vibes, Cal Girls, Rhonda, and Kokomo.  You play some car songs for sure, but you don't have to play LIttle Deuce Coupe,  Pasadena, Still Crusin.,and 409, and Shut down, and Little Honda. Pick 2 to play and  rotate which ones they are. Same thing with surf songs: you don't need Safari, Catch A Wave, Hawaii, Surf CIty, Dont Back Down, It's Ok. Pick 3 and rotate them around! How they never figured that out is beyond me!  I think Mike's gotten better at balance  but the RS article showed he still is resistant and the fact they are doing ALL the car songs, and ALL the surf songs still in medleys shows that!

[Mr. Cohen]

Also, haven't the BBs made enough money? How many millions has Mike made over his career? I think Brian got to a point where he felt, 'look, we've made enough money... let's take a chance on being artistic.' And Mike has never been able to understand that. He pretty much had a breakdown in the late '60s because of the BBs fall from the top of charts. Yes, he was also fasting a lot and etc., but what do you think drove him to such bizarre behaviors? Mike doesn't seem like a guy that would normally go on fasts for weeks.

In a way, Mike is kind of like Steve Jobs. Thou he has some serious hippie leanings, he also has some major insecurities that force him to engage in narcissistic, self-aggrandizing behaviors on a frequent basis.

[SMiLE Brian]

Also, haven't the BBs made enough money? How many millions has Mike made over his career? I think Brian got to a point where he felt, 'look, we've made enough money... let's take a chance on being artistic.' And Mike has never been able to understand that. He pretty much had a breakdown in the late '60s because of the BBs fall from the top of charts. Yes, he was also fasting a lot and etc., but what do you think drove him to such bizarre behaviors? Mike doesn't seem like a guy that would normally go on fasts for weeks.

In a way, Mike is kind of like Steve Jobs. Thou he has some serious hippie leanings, he also has some major insecurities that force him to engage in narcissistic, self-aggrandizing behaviors on a frequent basis.

Somebody needs to ask Mike about his breakdown, because it was far crazier than Brian's problems at the time.

[filledeplage]

Not just anybody can do an interval! What a lot of people don't realize is that Mike Love was very good in English classes in high school - ask him, he'll tell you. This kid was no dumby. He was writing poems as a teenager. This guy had an insatiable appetite for words and turned that into a formidable talent. Plus, he had an true talent for emotion. Whereas Brian thinks "how much can I scare people?" when he writes a song, Mike wonders how he can remind them of the fun glory days of the Beach Boys, when Mike wrote hit songs. Instead of that lame PSA "Oxygen to the Brain", imagine what a hit "Fun, Fun, Fun to the Brain" would've been?

You know, it's gotten to the point now where if Mike doesn't perform "Kokomo" in concert, people ask for a refund. Most people are there to see Mike sing the hits. Yeah, there are few acid alliteration freaks that are there to check out Brian, but who cares about them?

That was not the impression I got from that google interview.  Mike talked about his strengths.  And conceded that (not unlike myself) that he was awful in Math.  English, taught back then, was rigorous, and he talks liking poetry, literature, etc.  There are those, whose work,  in their respective professions could "academically credentialize" in a college or grad school setting.  Those self-taught, or those who taught themselves without tutelage, are referred to in French as "autodidact/e" and many literary giants, (and women, who were not sent to formal school) and possess a skill set, such as Mike as a lyricist, which was self-directed.  

My high school, as many are, was so rigorous, that college, grad school and post grad were well within my reach.  Whatever road he took, he would have been successful, because of his work ethic.  

Mike was asked a question, and he responded.  I read somewhere that he went to the record studio to learn the business on his own.  It shows initiative, and a desire to learn.  They might not have had a course in record company management back then, (and likely have some entertainment-typeindustry major as is available, now) which would teach the skill set Mike learned on the road, as well as in the studio.

His ability to capture a theme is enviable. And, many do.

Without a "translator" of sorts, Brian's music might have been all-instrumental.  Sine qua non (without which not) the lyrical ability, largely self-taught, because of a self-professed love for the written word.  And a disclaimer, therein, that he was awful in Math.  
 

[PaulTMA]

....going so far as to claim that "Surf's Up" - a song that can't even maintain a tempo - is one of the Beach Boy's best.

Absolutely A+ trolling.

I thought that would require it taking at least more than a couple of seconds reading before spotting you were being trolled

[ontor pertawst]

Somebody needs to ask Mike about his breakdown, because it was far crazier than Brian's problems at the time.

It sounds incredible! Running around with an apple juice jug, writing it off as "tainted Wilson blood." He'd probably laugh it off.

[SMiLE Brian]

Somebody needs to ask Mike about his breakdown, because it was far crazier than Brian's problems at the time.

It sounds incredible! Running around with an apple juice jug, writing it off as "tainted Wilson blood." He'd probably laugh it off.

The car chase part is amazing.

[Mr. Cohen]

Without a "translator" of sorts, Brian's music might have been all-instrumental.

Yep, that idiot savant Brian. Without Mike, how would he have written the lyrics to "Surfer Girl"? Oh wait, Brian wrote those lyrics. And how about that first line in "California Girls"? Oh wait, Brian wrote that, too, before even talking to Mike about the song.

Well, I guess there's still "Little Deuce Coupe", "In My Room",  and "Don't Worry Baby"? Oops, Mike had nothing to do with those songs, either. (BTW, what's up with "Surfin' USA" - Mike doesn't have a songwriting credit for it!)

Yes, I'm overstating my case. Mike was a talented lyricist, no doubt, but I think it's been overstated a bit. He's basically Roger Christian, except his focus was more surfing or lifestyle orientated than on cars, and he could write better love songs.

[drbeachboy]

Also, haven't the BBs made enough money? How many millions has Mike made over his career? I think Brian got to a point where he felt, 'look, we've made enough money... let's take a chance on being artistic.' And Mike has never been able to understand that. He pretty much had a breakdown in the late '60s because of the BBs fall from the top of charts. Yes, he was also fasting a lot and etc., but what do you think drove him to such bizarre behaviors? Mike doesn't seem like a guy that would normally go on fasts for weeks.

In a way, Mike is kind of like Steve Jobs. Thou he has some serious hippie leanings, he also has some major insecurities that force him to engage in narcissistic, self-aggrandizing behaviors on a frequent basis.

I have worked since 1980. Now, ask me if I have made enough money after 32 years? You think Brian and Mike are going to change their standard of living? They do what they do because of artistry and lifestyle. We hardcores couldn't fill up a theater, let alone a 60+ on this tour alone. Multiply that over the band's lifetime. Their record and concert sales all hinge on the average fan buying and attending. Had they had more success in the late 60s and 70s, we would be hearing more of their output from that period.

[Mr. Cohen]

I have worked since 1980. Now, ask me if I have made enough money after 32 years?

Yeah, but if you've made tens of millions, wouldn't you want to focus on doing what you love, even if that makes a little less money? For Mike, he loves huge audiences and tons of money, so it makes sense he'd march on.... Meanwhile it's clear that while Brian enjoys money, he's not quite as attached to it, or otherwise wouldn't have taken the chances he did with his career. I personally empathize with the latter more than the former.

Ugh, you're all just a bunch of Mike Loves, man.

[Mr. Cohen]

Brian made a lot of money touring Smile.  Look at this setlist: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/brian-wilson/2004/aotea-square-auckland-new-zealand-33d26041.html He did a few major hits, but not that many. You can have successful tours and be artistic, but it actually requires thoughtfulness and conscientiousness. Sure, you can go around pummeling soccer moms with the old hits for 30 years straight, but isn't there more to life than that?

Yes, Brian started playing more hits in his later sets, but that's because honestly he was touring too much. 50 year old groups can't tour year after year after year without real breaks and expect to sell out bigger venues forever.

[filledeplage]

Without a "translator" of sorts, Brian's music might have been all-instrumental.

Yep, that idiot savant Brian. Without Mike, how would he have written the lyrics to "Surfer Girl"? Oh wait, Brian wrote those lyrics. And how about that first line in "California Girls"? Oh wait, Brian wrote that, too, before even talking to Mike about the song.

Well, I guess there's still "Little Deuce Coupe", "In My Room",  and "Don't Worry Baby"? Oops, Mike had nothing to do with those songs, either. (BTW, what's up with "Surfin' USA" - Mike doesn't have a songwriting credit for it!)

Yes, I'm overstating my case. Mike was a talented lyricist, no doubt, but I think it's been overstated a bit. He's basically Roger Christian, except his focus was more surfing or lifestyle orientated than on cars, and he could write better love songs.

Yes, I think you are correct; you are overstating the case.  Much of the catalogue is Wilson-Love.  But Mike never seems to miss an opportunity to lavish praise on Brian.  That is in the Touring Band, as well.  He is talented as a lyricist, as you concede.  It might be left at that.  

And I read where Jeff said Mike is an entertainer. He is that, as well as a great vocalist in my opinion.  It would be nice to see credit accorded where it is long overdue.   And, I think, it is.  

[SMiLE Brian]

Sure, you can go around pummeling soccer moms with the old hits for 30 years straight, but isn't there more to life than that?

Added this quote to my profile.