Mike Love (Celebrate The New News / Old News?)

[urbanite]

When the BBs embarked on the C50 tour, didn't some of the guys in Mike's touring band get aced out?  I imagine there are some tough decisions on who gets to work and who doesn't when you combine the BW band and the Beach Boys band for a long tour like the C50.  Seems like Mike wants a stripped down backing band to save money and more moola.  Can't blame him.

Nothing seems to leak about what the real Melinda is like and what she did during the C50 tour.  I am interested in the dynamics of all that.

Will the Mark Lindsey song be on the BW solo album?

[Emdeeh]

When the BBs embarked on the C50 tour, didn't some of the guys in Mike's touring band get aced out?

Just Randell Kirsch and Christian Love. Everyone else had some role in the C50 tour, and Christian showed up at a few dates as part of California Saga.

[runnersdialzero]

Still baffled that Christian Love and Matt Jardine were passed over for the C50 tour. Just, what the f***, guys.

[SMiLE Brian]

Christian turned down a role in C50. Dude is a lazy enough singer with M&B.

[Lowbacca]

Christian turned down a role in C50. Dude is a lazy enough singer with M&B.

. . and having Matt Jardine there would have been kind of redundant in that specific C50 configuration of onstage musicians.

[The Shift]

Christian turned down a role in C50. Dude is a lazy enough singer with M&B.

. . and having Matt Jardine there would have been kind of redundant in that specific C50 configuration of onstage musicians.

He might not have needed to play a(nother) guitar but vocally I'd rather hear his falsetto than Jeff's.  Still, it turned out okay

[Lowbacca]

Christian turned down a role in C50. Dude is a lazy enough singer with M&B.

. . and having Matt Jardine there would have been kind of redundant in that specific C50 configuration of onstage musicians.

He might not have needed to play a(nother) guitar but vocally I'd rather hear his falsetto than Jeff's.  Still, it turned out okay

No Jeff - no Brian. So Jeff would have been there (onstage) in any case. That alone renders Matt Jardine rather "useless" from the outset. I don't say it wouldn't have been cool to see him there, given his history with the band and everything, but there simply wasn't a place for him. The touring band was big enough to begin with (causing some principals to have an actual problem with it) - stringing along your children just for old time's sake wouldn't have made much sense. That being said, I don't really see Christian Love doing much there, either. Maybe take a couple of lead vocals - on Carl's stuff, for example.. Maybe that was before they decided to go with the video screen. Who knows..

[Ron]

If Brian needs interference run to deal with Mike on tour, then I have no problem with the tour ending. To me, that is no way to have a good band dynamic. The thing that gets me though, is why if the issue is just Brian, then what is the issue with Al and David? There has always been more here than meets the eye. While all put aside their grudges for the C50 Tour, I think that is all that happened; they were just put aside, not ended. The writing issue is just one of probably many that went down during the reunion. JMHO!

I know nothing... but my gist of it has always been, Mike's kind of an ass, Al and David are both kind of sweethearts and they probably don't really like Mike.  I think Mike genuinely hates Al for whatever reason.  Mike CANT hate Brian because Brian's the whole fuckin' show... plus they're family.  Mike has no reason to want to work with Al or David, if they want to tag along fine but he doesn't need them to do what he does.  He doesn't need Bruce either but Bruce is the older equivalent of Stamos, he's rich, has chicks, and in Bruce's case has talent, doesn't get in the way, does whatever Mike says and just wants to be along for the ride.

David and Al actually aren't going to put up with any bullshit, if Mike does something they don't like they'd both walk.  Mike knows this and doesn't work with them, again, because he doesn't need to.  



I think the whoooooooole secret to this 50th anniversary thing is that Mike is very comfortable with his own band.  He makes good money, everybody gets along, he doesn't have to pay anybody anything over scale, he likes all of them, they're his friends.  He's probably very loyal to his bandmates, people I don't even know the names of.  Him and 5 or 6 guys tour around, have a good time, do some shows, hang out at Casinos, and this is what Mike likes to do.  When he does the big tour with Brian and co, Brian's the bigshot, Brian makes the calls, Brian's people have just as much pull as Brian does... it's just not as comfortable for Mike, and in the meanwhile... his 5 or 6 buddies in his band?  They're sitting at home worrying how they're going to pay for their kids school clothes.  


I think the secret and happy solution here would be to RECORD with Mike and Brian's band, and let they all tour seperately.  Mike wants to tour with his guys, Brian wants to tour with his guys, and I'd bet money Brian wouldn't mind working in the studio with anybody, Mike included.

So just make a Beach Boys album, but have them do the tours the way they're doing them now.  Everybody stays happy.  



I feel to understand all this, you have to think about the parties involved, namely Brian and Mike are the problem.  Mike has his faults, which I just outlined above (he wants all the money... he wants to be in charge... he wants his band to get paid, etc.).  You have to understand that this is who he is.  Nothing will change any of this.

Brian similarly has his faults.  He lets his wife run his life.... this is not a bad thing necessarily, certainly somebody needs to do it.  That's just who he is!  We all know this.  So of course he lets Melinda make big, big decisions, and thank god he has somebody that genuinely loves him to make thos decisions or he'd probably be gone by now.  Brian has an entourage.  He's not going to do sh*t unless he has about 10 people he knows and trusts on tour with him.  He's just not.

So which is worse, Mike wanting to be in charge, or Brian wanting his 10 buddies on tour with him?  Neither is worse.  They're just both big names who have the right to do things the way they want to do them.  It's understandable to me that it's hard for them to both agree on a huge tour. 

[Jim V.]

I heard what you're sayin' Ron, and them all recording as The Beach Boys still to me seems entirely sensible. However, maybe in a year like this where the don't have an album out, not touring together would be ok. But if they had a brand new album out, don't you think Capitol would went them to push it with the entire group? So they'd probably have to tour at least a little bit together, and apparently even the thought of this makes Mike shudder. So what are they to do? Seems like the answer is that Brian records and tours with Al and Dave, while Mike and Bruce do their thing, and unfortunately neither crosses the other's path.

[Ron]

I agree it would be very unusual, but hell they're the Beach Boys.  That's (in my opinion) the only way this is going to work in the future... Capitol may be unwilling to do that, however. 

I think what makes this situation different from other bands and their situation, is the whole 'license the name' thing that Mike is able to do. 

If the Stones fight, Keith Richards can't go use the Stones name.  So he has to kiss Mick's ass and they do a Stones tour. 

If the guys from Van Halen fight, they can't tour with the name.  If the guys from the Eagles fight, they can't tour with the name.  None of these people can make a go of it as a solo act with any where near the success they have as a group.

In Mike's case, in any other band, he would just do what Brian wants to do and grit his teeth.  Since he has the ability to tour AS the band without any of the other members, though, he doesn't have to do anything at all that he doesn't want to do.  So he has a pretty good out... to get him involved with anything, you're going to have to please him, AND please Brian or either one of them will just as soon tour on their own. 

No other major band can do that effectively; Brian doesn't make as much touring solo but he doesn't really care about the money.  Mike cares about the money but can almost match it with his stripped down show since he has the name. 

it's a unique situation and I hope that they can get together and record, even if it means touring seperately.

[JohnMill]

I wanted to bump this again because I just realized that there could be some interesting subtext going on in one of Mike Love's quotes if we allow ourselves to read between the lines:

I’m just pleased that we had the opportunity to work with each other last year because it’s never easy with Brian. There are always obstacles.

Does anyone else take this as meaning that at some point(s) prior to the C50, Mike Love attempted to collaborate with his cousin and was rebuffed?  Could have Mike Love been making overtures towards working with Wilson for awhile now only to be rebuffed each time out?  Could this in some way equate as to why the C50 wasn't exactly an all around pleasurable experience for Mike Love, as although he was finally granted his wish of working with his cousin he just as soon discovered that there were going to be a number of obstacles and provisos put in place before any work with Brian Wilson took place?

[donald]

I continue to read comments from Mike that there needs to be a gap of time before another "reunion tour" can happen so demand for tickets will be strong.  Surely I'm not the only one to pick up on this?

This has me thinking;   big reunion for a BeachBoys farewell tour sometime in the not too distant future........

[the professor]

That is exactly what it means. Mike was allowed , in the studio, to add lyrics to songs that JT was producing that needed some input, but he never got to compose alone freely and anew with Brian. It's BW that needs to step up, free himself of Melinda's control, embrace Mike, write another KMB and make a new BB album. Anything short of the BB being together is a form of hell for the Professor and also for each of them too, as is clear from all they say, Jeff Beck and all that forced falderal aside.

And yet, despite being so contained and controlled, M and B wrote a great tune. The BB capital screwed up in not releasing SV as a pre-summer single. Despite restrictions, they wrote a great song together that did not get promoted properly.  Anyone who does not love that song has never driven PCH with it blaring. Where is Bean Bag; he understands. Help me Bag.

I wanted to bump this again because I just realized that there could be some interesting subtext going on in one of Mike Love's quotes if we allow ourselves to read between the lines:

I’m just pleased that we had the opportunity to work with each other last year because it’s never easy with Brian. There are always obstacles.

Does anyone else take this as meaning that at some point(s) prior to the C50, Mike Love attempted to collaborate with his cousin and was rebuffed?  Could have Mike Love been making overtures towards working with Wilson for awhile now only to be rebuffed each time out?  Could this in some way equate as to why the C50 wasn't exactly an all around pleasurable experience for Mike Love, as although he was finally granted his wish of working with his cousin he just as soon discovered that there were going to be a number of obstacles and provisos put in place before any work with Brian Wilson took place?

[Micha]

KMB?

[SMiLE Brian]

Kiss Me Baby...

I don't think Mike has creativity left to approach songs like that.

[Gohi]

And yet, despite being so contained and controlled, M and B wrote a great tune. The BB capital screwed up in not releasing SV as a pre-summer single. Despite restrictions, they wrote a great song together that did not get promoted properly.  Anyone who does not love that song has never driven PCH with it blaring. Where is Bean Bag; he understands. Help me Bag.

Okay so I need to fly to California and drive on the Pacific Coast Highway... anything else I need to do to enjoy this song?

[Cyncie]

I usually don't get involved in these disparaging types of things because I try to see all sides of the situation, but I really want to say that I find the "Melinda"  and "Wifeandmanagers" labels to be insulting to Melinda, Brian, Jeff, the band, and everyone who are trying to support Brian and help him stay happy and productive. From all accounts, Melinda acts on Brain's behalf with his good in mind. She is a strong woman, yes. You would have to be, to be married to someone with Brian's issues. She is someone who has to make the tough decisions (possibly because Brian won't) and some of her decisions might make it harder for Mike to pretend it's still 1962 and write surfing songs with his cousin (which, in my mind, is just a convenient excuse).   Apparently Brian wants or needs her to run interference for him, so she does. To equate someone who genuinely cares for Brian and is taking a strong position for his good to the manipulative, grasping, self-serving and Brian damaging piece of crap that Landy was, is just a major injustice, to me.

Whatever support system Brian needs, he currently has. The evidence that it's working is his solo career, tours, a long and difficult Beach Boys reunion tour that he actually enjoyed doing, a number 3 charting album, and his current burst of creativity in the studio. If supporting him at that level means that Mike can't  churn out a hook in 5 minutes in the studio parking lot, then so be it.

[SMiLE Brian]

Great post Cyncie, BW's support system gets a lot of crap these days.  But look at how productive he has been from 1998 onwards with it in place.

[drbeachboy]

I usually don't get involved in these disparaging types of things because I try to see all sides of the situation, but I really want to say that I find the "Melinda"  and "Wifeandmanagers" labels to be insulting to Melinda, Brian, Jeff, the band, and everyone who are trying to support Brian and help him stay happy and productive. From all accounts, Melinda acts on Brain's behalf with his good in mind. She is a strong woman, yes. You would have to be, to be married to someone with Brian's issues. She is someone who has to make the tough decisions (possibly because Brian won't) and some of her decisions might make it harder for Mike to pretend it's still 1962 and write surfing songs with his cousin (which, in my mind, is just a convenient excuse).   Apparently Brian wants or needs her to run interference for him, so she does. To equate someone who genuinely cares for Brian and is taking a strong position for his good to the manipulative, grasping, self-serving and Brian damaging piece of crap that Landy was, is just a major injustice, to me.

Whatever support system Brian needs, he currently has. The evidence that it's working is his solo career, tours, a long and difficult Beach Boys reunion tour that he actually enjoyed doing, a number 3 charting album, and his current burst of creativity in the studio. If supporting him at that level means that Mike can't  churn out a hook in 5 minutes in the studio parking lot, then so be it.

That insinuates that Brian does have an issue writing or being around Mike if Melinda, management, or Joe Thomas have/had to run interference for Brian. Having multiple management involved within one band usually does not go well, with each looking out for their client's best interests. Just look to the "Firing" fiasco as an example.

[Cyncie]

I usually don't get involved in these disparaging types of things because I try to see all sides of the situation, but I really want to say that I find the "Melinda"  and "Wifeandmanagers" labels to be insulting to Melinda, Brian, Jeff, the band, and everyone who are trying to support Brian and help him stay happy and productive. From all accounts, Melinda acts on Brain's behalf with his good in mind. She is a strong woman, yes. You would have to be, to be married to someone with Brian's issues. She is someone who has to make the tough decisions (possibly because Brian won't) and some of her decisions might make it harder for Mike to pretend it's still 1962 and write surfing songs with his cousin (which, in my mind, is just a convenient excuse).   Apparently Brian wants or needs her to run interference for him, so she does. To equate someone who genuinely cares for Brian and is taking a strong position for his good to the manipulative, grasping, self-serving and Brian damaging piece of crap that Landy was, is just a major injustice, to me.

Whatever support system Brian needs, he currently has. The evidence that it's working is his solo career, tours, a long and difficult Beach Boys reunion tour that he actually enjoyed doing, a number 3 charting album, and his current burst of creativity in the studio. If supporting him at that level means that Mike can't  churn out a hook in 5 minutes in the studio parking lot, then so be it.

That insinuates that Brian does have an issue writing or being around Mike if Melinda, management, or Joe Thomas have/had to run interference for Brian. Having multiple management involved within one band usually does not go well, with each looking out for their client's best interests. Just look to the "Firing" fiasco as an example.

Well, that's not my insinuation.  It's the point that seems to be made by Mike and everyone else: that other people are keeping Brian from writing with Mike.  If they are, then, in some way, Brian has allowed it by giving them that control. It's just possible Brian doesn't want to write with Mike. Period.  In that case, we have what we have. But, since Brian's not been in a one on one writing situation with Mike in a very long time, I tend to see that as Mike's exercise in damage control. See, he had good reason to reject all those other opportunities. If "the others" would just get out of the way, it would all be cool.

In one of Mike's other interviews, I got the impression that the real problem was with the production company, read Joe Thomas. That's why this sudden villainization of Melinda seems unwarranted. I'm just a strong woman standing up for another strong woman.

[Mikie]

Good post, Cyncie.  On the money, honey!   

[oldsurferdude]

I usually don't get involved in these disparaging types of things because I try to see all sides of the situation, but I really want to say that I find the "Melinda"  and "Wifeandmanagers" labels to be insulting to Melinda, Brian, Jeff, the band, and everyone who are trying to support Brian and help him stay happy and productive. From all accounts, Melinda acts on Brain's behalf with his good in mind. She is a strong woman, yes. You would have to be, to be married to someone with Brian's issues. She is someone who has to make the tough decisions (possibly because Brian won't) and some of her decisions might make it harder for Mike to pretend it's still 1962 and write surfing songs with his cousin (which, in my mind, is just a convenient excuse).   Apparently Brian wants or needs her to run interference for him, so she does. To equate someone who genuinely cares for Brian and is taking a strong position for his good to the manipulative, grasping, self-serving and Brian damaging piece of crap that Landy was, is just a major injustice, to me.

Whatever support system Brian needs, he currently has. The evidence that it's working is his solo career, tours, a long and difficult Beach Boys reunion tour that he actually enjoyed doing, a number 3 charting album, and his current burst of creativity in the studio. If supporting him at that level means that Mike can't  churn out a hook in 5 minutes in the studio parking lot, then so be it.

So well said.  +10 to the 10th power.

[Cam Mott]

I usually don't get involved in these disparaging types of things because I try to see all sides of the situation, but I really want to say that I find the "Melinda"  and "Wifeandmanagers" labels to be insulting to Melinda, Brian, Jeff, the band, and everyone who are trying to support Brian and help him stay happy and productive. From all accounts, Melinda acts on Brain's behalf with his good in mind. She is a strong woman, yes. You would have to be, to be married to someone with Brian's issues. She is someone who has to make the tough decisions (possibly because Brian won't) and some of her decisions might make it harder for Mike to pretend it's still 1962 and write surfing songs with his cousin (which, in my mind, is just a convenient excuse).   Apparently Brian wants or needs her to run interference for him, so she does. To equate someone who genuinely cares for Brian and is taking a strong position for his good to the manipulative, grasping, self-serving and Brian damaging piece of crap that Landy was, is just a major injustice, to me.

Whatever support system Brian needs, he currently has. The evidence that it's working is his solo career, tours, a long and difficult Beach Boys reunion tour that he actually enjoyed doing, a number 3 charting album, and his current burst of creativity in the studio. If supporting him at that level means that Mike can't  churn out a hook in 5 minutes in the studio parking lot, then so be it.

Or both can happen, Brian's support and Mike's support. I agree with you on the disparaging of Melinda.

[Jim V.]

I usually don't get involved in these disparaging types of things because I try to see all sides of the situation, but I really want to say that I find the "Melinda"  and "Wifeandmanagers" labels to be insulting to Melinda, Brian, Jeff, the band, and everyone who are trying to support Brian and help him stay happy and productive. From all accounts, Melinda acts on Brain's behalf with his good in mind. She is a strong woman, yes. You would have to be, to be married to someone with Brian's issues. She is someone who has to make the tough decisions (possibly because Brian won't) and some of her decisions might make it harder for Mike to pretend it's still 1962 and write surfing songs with his cousin (which, in my mind, is just a convenient excuse).   Apparently Brian wants or needs her to run interference for him, so she does. To equate someone who genuinely cares for Brian and is taking a strong position for his good to the manipulative, grasping, self-serving and Brian damaging piece of crap that Landy was, is just a major injustice, to me.

Whatever support system Brian needs, he currently has. The evidence that it's working is his solo career, tours, a long and difficult Beach Boys reunion tour that he actually enjoyed doing, a number 3 charting album, and his current burst of creativity in the studio. If supporting him at that level means that Mike can't  churn out a hook in 5 minutes in the studio parking lot, then so be it.

I totally agree with you about how insulting the "Melinda" and "wifeandmanagers" thing is. Yeah sure, it does seem as though Melinda plays a big role in Brian's career. But we should note I've never heard him say in an interview how he couldn't stand how she was treating him or anything like that.

[JohnMill]

I usually don't get involved in these disparaging types of things because I try to see all sides of the situation, but I really want to say that I find the "Melinda"  and "Wifeandmanagers" labels to be insulting to Melinda, Brian, Jeff, the band, and everyone who are trying to support Brian and help him stay happy and productive. From all accounts, Melinda acts on Brain's behalf with his good in mind. She is a strong woman, yes. You would have to be, to be married to someone with Brian's issues. She is someone who has to make the tough decisions (possibly because Brian won't) and some of her decisions might make it harder for Mike to pretend it's still 1962 and write surfing songs with his cousin (which, in my mind, is just a convenient excuse).   Apparently Brian wants or needs her to run interference for him, so she does. To equate someone who genuinely cares for Brian and is taking a strong position for his good to the manipulative, grasping, self-serving and Brian damaging piece of crap that Landy was, is just a major injustice, to me.

Whatever support system Brian needs, he currently has. The evidence that it's working is his solo career, tours, a long and difficult Beach Boys reunion tour that he actually enjoyed doing, a number 3 charting album, and his current burst of creativity in the studio. If supporting him at that level means that Mike can't  churn out a hook in 5 minutes in the studio parking lot, then so be it.

Well it's unfortunate to say the least which is where I'll begin.  It's unfortunate that Brian Wilson in the sixties was unable to get the help he needed, at the time he needed it which may have prevented some of the complications that have plagued his life in comparison with others.  It's unfortunate that Melinda Wilson gets disparaged for merely acting in her husband's best interests and for all we know with his blessing.  I know that Brian Wilson has gone on record that without Melinda, he probably wouldn't have ever toured again so obviously Beach Boys and Brian Wilson fans owe Melinda Wilson a debt of gratitude on that front and probably all other fronts which encompass the professional side of Brian Wilson's life.

It's unfortunate that Mike Love can't or is unable to find a comfort zone with his cousin after all of these years where they can enjoy both working with each other professionally and enjoying the company of one another as family members.  It's obvious from almost every quote that I have ever read from Mike Love regarding Brian Wilson that he has nothing but affection for his cousin and although we can tear strips off Mike Love for a million different things, one thing I've always respected him for is his honesty.  Therefore I have no doubt that he ran into complications of some degree last year in working with Brian Wilson and that is the reason why The Beach Boys aren't together anymore.  That too is obviously unfortunate for the band and their fans.

The bright side?  Well as Mike Love himself said, Brian Wilson has his band and M&B are out doing their thing as well.  Both groups are drawing audiences, making money and carrying on the legacy of the band in their own separate way.  They also have that handsome box set that is going to be released in a few weeks time which will no doubt bring about all different types of emotions from the fanbase.  The word: bittersweet perhaps is the best way to describe the temperature of the room right now.