Hey, Mike Love!

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0ttT7oDZWi8/TRtDbWfI_0I/AAAAAAAACU0/Z4glVonucuE/s1600/BeachBoysBird.jpg



Aside from Mike being a huge dildo on many occasions, what are some good things he's done?

[keysarsoze001]

I'm no Mike Love apologist; most of the time he gets on my nerves.

But that said, his lyrics have always been full of energy and pretty memorable, at least until "Kokomo" happened and he suddenly believed he had to EXCLUSIVELY write in that style. As a lead man for their live show, he's indispensable. Carl had the charisma to carry the whole band on his shoulders, but Mike just plain has the appropriately-sized ego to be an effective lead man (and I mean that in a good way). His voice is definitely part of what made their early hits stand out from, say, Jan and Dean songs with a similar style. And whatever role he may have played over the years in keeping the band from disappearing altogether, he deserves credit for that, even if the product they were putting out wasn't necessarily up to snuff all the time.

[KittyKat]

Mike was a buddy to Brian when they were growing up.  People don't always become friends with their first cousins even if the aunts/uncles have their families hang out together, but Brian and Mike chose to hang out together as kids and teenagers.  They gave each other emotional support and had fun together.  They inspired each other musically (remember Brian wasn't a rock and r & b guy until his brother Carl and cousin Mike got into it).  They eventually grew up and had different interests but besides needing to keep up the business end, remembering the good times they had as kids together might have helped them overlook the bad stuff.

[AndrewHickey]

Wrote the lyrics to several of the best songs ever written
Sung some of the best bass vocals in post-1960 pop music, and come up with at least some of those parts himself
Been a fairly outspoken advocate for various environmental causes
Been as far as I know the most consistently decent and polite member of the band when dealing with fans
On the circulating recordings of Brian demoing Love You-era material, he sounds incredibly enthusiastic and supportive of his songwriting at that point.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

He played a large role in creating California. 'Nuff said.

[Cabinessenceking]

ML really knew how to give California to the world.

[hypehat]

His name is ripe for puns.

[Jason]

Michael is not a "dildo" because a bunch of idiot fans believe so. There is no black and white. And for all of you who fellate the altar of Brian Wilson, just remember that Brian Wilson's biggest fan is Michael Love.

[Heysaboda]

...... just remember that Brian Wilson's biggest fan is Michael Love. 

times 1,000!

People who really appreciate Brian Wilson ALSO appreciate Mike Love.

No way of getting around this.

The whole Mike Love vs. Brian thing has been done.  It makes me sleepy.  Can we get over it?

"Nothing to see here."  -- Lt. Frank Drebin

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

There's no getting around it, he's done shady stuff. Bashing him was not my intention.

I love Mike's voice.

I wanted to know the positive stuff he's done.
I'm a "new fan", I'm just trying to absorb everything.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

...... just remember that Brian Wilson's biggest fan is Michael Love. 

times 1,000!

People who really appreciate Brian Wilson ALSO appreciate Mike Love.

No way of getting around this.

The whole Mike Love vs. Brian thing has been done.  It makes me sleepy.  Can we get over it?

"Nothing to see here."  -- Lt. Frank Drebin

Surely Carl and/or Dennis (or Al) deserve the title 'Brian's biggest fan' more than Mike ever did/does? After all, they didn't make dismissive 'Brian's ego music' remarks. While Dennis was saying 'Smile is so good it makes Pet Sounds stink', Mike was creating tension getting into arguments with Van Dyke Parks in the studio. but then this is where Mike's history revision usually kicks in: 'I never said i didn't like the lyrics, I just wanted to know what they meant' etc etc etc.  

[Jason]

You speak as if we don't already know the history. I stand by my earlier remarks.

[Justin]

...... just remember that Brian Wilson's biggest fan is Michael Love. 

times 1,000!

People who really appreciate Brian Wilson ALSO appreciate Mike Love.

No way of getting around this.

The whole Mike Love vs. Brian thing has been done.  It makes me sleepy.  Can we get over it?

"Nothing to see here."  -- Lt. Frank Drebin

+1

+100 for the Frank Drebin reference..hell yeah!

[Jason]

Always fun to see a Police Squad/Naked Gun reference!

[Justin]

Sorry couldn't resist!  Taken a few years ago before the good man passed.  He signed my DVD "To Justin and Nordberg..."

[Heysaboda]

There's no getting around it, he's done shady stuff. Bashing him was not my intention.

I love Mike's voice.

I wanted to know the positive stuff he's done.
I'm a "new fan", I'm just trying to absorb everything.

Okay, here ya go.  Here’s a place to start.  Here’s a list of ALL the Beach Boy’s songs, (well most of them) with who wrote as well as who sang.  You’ll see Mr. Love’s name listed often, as co-writer and singer.  Fun list!  Enjoy!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_songs_by_The_Beach_Boys

[hypehat]

Leslie Nielsen is all-time.

'On second thought, get me a Black Russian.'

[Heysaboda]

Of course, Frank Drebin's full title is:

Sergeant Frank Drebin, Detective Lieutenant Police Squad

"But this is our hill.  And these are OUR beans!"

[MaxL]

This has become my favourite thread ever.

Also, Justin that's brilliant! The guy was an idol of mine all the way through studying drama at high school, based almost all my characters on him and his deadpan style.

And (to be relevant to the topic) yeah, I like Mike. A LOT.

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

Oh, thanks!
Sarcasm rocks!

[MaxL]

Oh, thanks!
Sarcasm rocks!

No sarcasm here, friend (that is if you're referring to my post, if not then just ignore this). If it weren't for Mike I doubt I'd ever have gotten into the Beach Boys, I make no secret about it. Mike-bashers continue to irk me.

[oldsurferdude]

You speak as if we don't already know the history. I stand by my earlier remarks.

Myke Luhv on Pet Sounds- "Who's gonna hear this SH*T, the ears of a dog?" Try standing by that.

[Zach95]

Oh, thanks!
Sarcasm rocks!

No sarcasm here, friend (that is if you're referring to my post, if not then just ignore this). If it weren't for Mike I doubt I'd ever have gotten into the Beach Boys, I make no secret about it. Mike-bashers continue to irk me.

It's just, interviews like this that continue to irk me, even though I really do appreciate Mike and his work.  I mean, bashing Brian's first album because the arrangements weren't commercial enough? Are you kidding?

http://troun.tripod.com/mikelove.html

[Jason]

Sorry couldn't resist!  Taken a few years ago before the good man passed.  He signed my DVD "To Justin and Nordberg..."

Great picture! Did he surprise you with a whoopee cushion as well? 

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

What's with this Brian-fascism thing with Mike bashers?

I'm sorry, but the guy has the right to his opinion.

I wonder if there's also a bit of Mike envy due to the fact that he seems to be the one guy on earth who doesn't HAVE to praise every damn thing Brian does.

Speaking of: I think we can located many an instance where many on this board have had less than complimentary things to say about one or more of Brian's solo efforts.....

HOW DARE YOU HAVE AN OPINION!!!!!