Mike Love's Nelson Mandela Facebook Post

[Gabo]

From Mike's Facebook page:

When I think of Nelson Mandela the thought of Mahatma Gandhi comes to mind. Gandhi liberated his people with his non-violent activism. Non-violent in Sanskrit is “AHIMSA”, a term meaning “Do not injure”.

Nelson Mandela on the other hand expressed his beliefs in a more militant approach. He paid for it dearly with imprisonment. However, upon his release he freed a nation and its people from the onerous rule of apartheid.

The thing about Mandela that is remarkable is how in spite of years of confinement, instead of evoking bitterness, which would have been entirely understandable, Nelson Mandela instead came to the realization that it was the disease of racism that he hated, not the Caucasian race. Mandela forged a collaborative relationship with President F.W. De Klerk which resulted in spectacular change and social progress. This change was the positive result of working together to overcome differences.

Mandela went from Incarceration to Inauguration. Four years after his release, he was elected the President of South Africa with a great majority of votes. His relations with the white minority went a long way towards healing the scars of a troubled society.

The thing that resonated so clearly from the heart of Nelson Mandela was the incredible power of positivity. To maintain that level of positivity and overcome the wounds of segregation was, and is, a monumental contribution to humanity.

Mandela showed by example the enormous power and potential of positivity. He leaves a great legacy and lesson to the world. Rest in Peace Madiba, your positivity lives on!

ML

[The Shift]

I like it. Seems very well thought out and measured – and I smiled at the very Mike-like "Mr Positivity" line.

(I like also the fact that he resisted the temptation to rhyme "incarceration" "and "inauguration"with "excitation" and "vibration"!)

[Jukka]

(I like also the fact that he resisted the temptation to rhyme "incarceration" "and "inauguration"with "excitation" and "vibration"!)

  My thoughts exactly! But yeah, such a nice and heartfelt post. That's the Mike who wrote Big Sur, the Mike I love best.

[Autotune]

There's a bunch of very beautiful posts by Mike on his facebook account. A recent one on Thanksgiving is outstanding. His prose is simple, direct, concise and yet elegant and beautiful.

I would buy a book written by this man.

[Micha]

There's a bunch of very beautiful posts by Mike on his facebook account. A recent one on Thanksgiving is outstanding. His prose is simple, direct, concise and yet elegant and beautiful.

I would buy a book written by this man.

Isn't Mike writing his autobiography at the moment? Or is he waiting for Brian's new supposedly real autobiography to appear so he can sue for co-writing credits?

[HeyJude]

Didn't the Beach Boys notoriously play Sun City in 1981? I'm not saying it's implausible that he simply feels much more stongly about the issue of apartheid some 32 years later, but it appears that at least some or enough members of the group were not against apartheid at least to the degree that they felt it was okay to book gigs at Sun City even though it was known as a controversial thing to do. Interesting stuff.

Mike can be an eloquent enough guy. That eloquence is even more frustrating when it is undermined by simply not addressing some larger burning issue (e.g. his "end of tour" LA Times statement from last year, which was well-written and kind to the other band members, yet partially ignored the issue of how some of the band wanted to stay together while he didn't).

[Robbie Mac]

Didn't the Beach Boys notoriously play Sun City in 1981? I'm not saying it's implausible that he simply feels much more stongly about the issue of apartheid some 32 years later, but it appears that at least some or enough members of the group were not against apartheid at least to the degree that they felt it was okay to book gigs at Sun City even though it was known as a controversial thing to do. Interesting stuff.

The artists who played the venue were never told Sun City was in South Africa

[bgas]

Didn't the Beach Boys notoriously play Sun City in 1981? I'm not saying it's implausible that he simply feels much more stongly about the issue of apartheid some 32 years later, but it appears that at least some or enough members of the group were not against apartheid at least to the degree that they felt it was okay to book gigs at Sun City even though it was known as a controversial thing to do. Interesting stuff.

The artists who played the venue were never told Sun City was in South Africa

And, of course, The BBs simply used their transporter to get there, instead of having to fly to SOUTH AFRICA...

[CenturyDeprived]

Didn't the Beach Boys notoriously play Sun City in 1981? I'm not saying it's implausible that he simply feels much more stongly about the issue of apartheid some 32 years later, but it appears that at least some or enough members of the group were not against apartheid at least to the degree that they felt it was okay to book gigs at Sun City even though it was known as a controversial thing to do. Interesting stuff.

Mike can be an eloquent enough guy. That eloquence is even more frustrating when it is undermined by simply not addressing some larger burning issue (e.g. his "end of tour" LA Times statement from last year, which was well-written and kind to the other band members, yet partially ignored the issue of how some of the band wanted to stay together while he didn't).

Not only did the BBs notoriously play Sun City in 1981, but I read a 1981 Mike Love quote in the recently-published BBs In Concert book, where he said something to the effect of "the UN can screw themselves... it's [the gig is] good money", which may be the most crass thing ML has ever said, and almost made me ashamed to be a fan of the band when I read it. One can debate the band's right to having played those shows, and I have issue with any member of the band having played those shows...but the ML quote is sickeningly insensitive and devoid of a smidgen of empathy. It seems to imply a "f*ck off" to the anti-apartheid cause in the name of $$.

Now, maybe ML has had a positive change of tune in 32 years (and I realize the entire band did in fact play those shows, but ML was the only one who made such a shockingly crass public quote about the matter). If so, he needs to own up to having had a change of tune, instead of sweeping history under the rug. Either that, or he should simply shut up and not say anything at this time.

It's a major, major facepalm as a fan.  
And sorry Kokomaoists, this is not defensible.
I assume he hopes that people simply forgot that quote ever happened?  

[Robbie Mac]

I won't defend Mike's quote, but I will point out that Paul Simon was accused oh having breached the UN boycott when he. Was making Graceland..

[SMiLE Brian]

That is a horrifying and very mercenary quote from Mike Love. Hopefully he was hiding the fact he was bankrupt and needed the money badly.


I feel if he wrote such a long tribute to Nelson Mandela, maybe he was seeking forgiveness and redemption in his own way.

[Mike's Beard]

It wasn't just Mike performing, the rest of the guys were there too. If bands started refusing to play countries they didn't agree with politically, a lot of groups would find themselves with very few countries left to play in. Why deny EVERYBODY from seeing you perform - that solves nothing.

[CenturyDeprived]

It wasn't just Mike performing, the rest of the guys were there too. If bands started refusing to play countries they didn't agree with politically, a lot of groups would find themselves with very few countries left to play in. Why deny EVERYBODY from seeing you perform - that solves nothing.

I know it was the entire band who played, and I said in my post that I have issue with all of them having performed there.
But that quote, which was so over the top in its crassness and insensitivity, was, as far as I know, attributed to the Lovester.
 

[Sheriff John Stone]

It's a good thing that 1981 performance was a Mike Love SOLO performance, that no other Beach Boys made the trip, that no other Beach Boys performed, and that no other Beach Boys accepted a check for the concert. And, it's good to know that actions don't speak louder than words, that the other Beach Boys couldn't possibly feel the same way as Mike, being they didn't accept their $$$$$$$$ for the performance. We know that Brian and Dennis were touring because they loved playing those oldies but goodies....

[CenturyDeprived]

It's a good thing that 1981 performance was a Mike Love SOLO performance, that no other Beach Boys made the trip, that no other Beach Boys performed, and that no other Beach Boys accepted a check for the concert. And, it's good to know that actions don't speak louder than words, that the other Beach Boys couldn't possibly feel the same way as Mike, being they didn't accept their $$$$$$$$ for the performance. We know that Brian and Dennis were touring because they loved playing those oldies but goodies....

The other Beach Boys did do the trip, play the show, and cash the checks. And personally, I don't condone that they did those things.  I personally think it was lame and wrong for them to do. All of them. And I said this in my original post.

But the über crass, despicable quote was Mike's.  The quote is a whole other level of awful.

[Mike's Beard]

But the über crass, despicable quote was Mike's.  The quote is a whole other level of awful.

Mike could have shown more tact with what he said but I still stand by the band's right to play wherever they have fans willing to pay to see them. Queen took a dumper truckload of sh*t for playing those places around the same time. Brian May basically said (to paraphrase) 'we are apolitical and there are hundreds of 1000's of people there who want to come to our concerts'.

[Joel Goldenberg]

Since it was 1981, was Carl at that show? And was Brian there? If Carl wasn't there, did he comment on the BBs playing there? I doubt it.

[Sheriff John Stone]

It's a good thing that 1981 performance was a Mike Love SOLO performance, that no other Beach Boys made the trip, that no other Beach Boys performed, and that no other Beach Boys accepted a check for the concert. And, it's good to know that actions don't speak louder than words, that the other Beach Boys couldn't possibly feel the same way as Mike, being they didn't accept their $$$$$$$$ for the performance. We know that Brian and Dennis were touring because they loved playing those oldies but goodies....

The other Beach Boys did do the trip, play the show, and cash the checks. And personally, I don't condone that they did those things.  I personally think it was lame and wrong for them to do. All of them. And I said this in my original post.

But the über crass, despicable quote was Mike's.  The quote is a whole other level of awful.

No, the quote is NOT "a whole other level". It is on the same level as performing the concert, and you're not grasping that point. The other Beach Boys performing the concert and cashing their check is a perfect example of actions speaking louder than words. The other Beach Boys did it for the money, too, they just didn't say it, as Mike did. This is yet another, yes another, example of the other Beach Boys being at the same level on the "asshole meter" as Mike - but some fans being UNABLE to admit it.

[bgas]

It's a good thing that 1981 performance was a Mike Love SOLO performance, that no other Beach Boys made the trip, that no other Beach Boys performed, and that no other Beach Boys accepted a check for the concert. And, it's good to know that actions don't speak louder than words, that the other Beach Boys couldn't possibly feel the same way as Mike, being they didn't accept their $$$$$$$$ for the performance. We know that Brian and Dennis were touring because they loved playing those oldies but goodies....

The other Beach Boys did do the trip, play the show, and cash the checks. And personally, I don't condone that they did those things.  I personally think it was lame and wrong for them to do. All of them. And I said this in my original post.

But the über crass, despicable quote was Mike's.  The quote is a whole other level of awful.

No, the quote is NOT "a whole other level". It is on the same level as performing the concert, and you're not grasping that point. The other Beach Boys performing the concert and cashing their check is a perfect example of actions speaking louder than words. The other Beach Boys did it for the money, too, they just didn't say it, as Mike did. This is yet another, yes another, example of the other Beach Boys being at the same level on the "asshole meter" as Mike - but some fans being UNABLE to admit it.

And of course, we can't be sure that the other band members didn't say anything similar, only that they weren't quoted. 

[CenturyDeprived]

It's a good thing that 1981 performance was a Mike Love SOLO performance, that no other Beach Boys made the trip, that no other Beach Boys performed, and that no other Beach Boys accepted a check for the concert. And, it's good to know that actions don't speak louder than words, that the other Beach Boys couldn't possibly feel the same way as Mike, being they didn't accept their $$$$$$$$ for the performance. We know that Brian and Dennis were touring because they loved playing those oldies but goodies....

The other Beach Boys did do the trip, play the show, and cash the checks. And personally, I don't condone that they did those things.  I personally think it was lame and wrong for them to do. All of them. And I said this in my original post.

But the über crass, despicable quote was Mike's.  The quote is a whole other level of awful.

No, the quote is NOT "a whole other level". It is on the same level as performing the concert, and you're not grasping that point. The other Beach Boys performing the concert and cashing their check is a perfect example of actions speaking louder than words. The other Beach Boys did it for the money, too, they just didn't say it, as Mike did. This is yet another, yes another, example of the other Beach Boys being at the same level on the "asshole meter" as Mike - but some fans being UNABLE to admit it.

Tact about a situation (or lack thereof) makes a difference to me, and to others too, I'm sure. The quote not only showed zero tact, it was hostile and mean-spirited. Granted, I don't know the context of the interview, having only heard the quote itself. But regardless of context, I find the quote truly disgusting.

Yes, actions are louder than words. But openly hostile, tactless words said in that manner,  about a very sensitive topic, made it much worse in my eyes. 

Did they all (the entire band) play the show simply just for the money? Presumably, yes.  But unless the other bandmembers at the time made any kind of public comment(s) about playing the show, we can't know their own justifications for why they played the show, such as if they adopted an apolitical stance, wanted to reach other fans in a place that would never otherwise get to see them play, etc. Yes, that may merely be a "nicer way" of dressing up their actions of simply wanting the cash.

I assume the band, in their internal discussions about whether they would accept a show offer in South Africa, said to themselves, "well, we need the money, so screw it, let's just play there regardless of the political climate". But I contend it is quite another level on the "asshole meter" for Mike to openly make it known, in the way that he did, that he gives no semblance whatsoever of a f*ck, and degrading the UN in such a manner. If he had said something far more nuanced and tactful at the time, I wouldn't be nearly as bugged about him (or probably his publicist) having the gall to write a facebook post about Mandela.

[CenturyDeprived]

It's a good thing that 1981 performance was a Mike Love SOLO performance, that no other Beach Boys made the trip, that no other Beach Boys performed, and that no other Beach Boys accepted a check for the concert. And, it's good to know that actions don't speak louder than words, that the other Beach Boys couldn't possibly feel the same way as Mike, being they didn't accept their $$$$$$$$ for the performance. We know that Brian and Dennis were touring because they loved playing those oldies but goodies....

The other Beach Boys did do the trip, play the show, and cash the checks. And personally, I don't condone that they did those things.  I personally think it was lame and wrong for them to do. All of them. And I said this in my original post.

But the über crass, despicable quote was Mike's.  The quote is a whole other level of awful.

No, the quote is NOT "a whole other level". It is on the same level as performing the concert, and you're not grasping that point. The other Beach Boys performing the concert and cashing their check is a perfect example of actions speaking louder than words. The other Beach Boys did it for the money, too, they just didn't say it, as Mike did. This is yet another, yes another, example of the other Beach Boys being at the same level on the "asshole meter" as Mike - but some fans being UNABLE to admit it.

And of course, we can't be sure that the other band members didn't say anything similar, only that they weren't quoted. 

And if any other bandmember at the time had said something to a reporter with the same disgusting level of crassness about the situation, and then had the balls to write a rosy Mandela post on facebook today, I'd be just as critical of them. Not pointing my finger at anyone in particular, but Mike defenders need to realize that the people who have issue with some of his actions would have the same issue if the actions were in fact duplicated by anyone else in the band.

[SMiLE Brian]

Agreed, Mike gets himself into these bad situations when he runs his mouth for better or worse.

[Pretty Funky]

Since it was 1981, was Carl at that show? And was Brian there? If Carl wasn't there, did he comment on the BBs playing there? I doubt it.

http://surfermoon.com/blogs/?p=53

The second main contact the Beach Boys had with South Africa was far less happy. They played in Sun City in 1981- Sun City was then part of the notionally independent state of Bophuthatswana (say that very fast ) and part of the masterplan to move most of the blacks in South Africa to areas that would become supposedly separate countries. This was in contravention of the United Nations boycott and hardly endeared the band as sensitive to current geopolitics. Carl was on a break from the band, but Brian was there- I have no first hand accounts on how the concerts went but assume they weren’t brilliant.

[Joel Goldenberg]

Since it was 1981, was Carl at that show? And was Brian there? If Carl wasn't there, did he comment on the BBs playing there? I doubt it.

http://surfermoon.com/blogs/?p=53

The second main contact the Beach Boys had with South Africa was far less happy. They played in Sun City in 1981- Sun City was then part of the notionally independent state of Bophuthatswana (say that very fast ) and part of the masterplan to move most of the blacks in South Africa to areas that would become supposedly separate countries. This was in contravention of the United Nations boycott and hardly endeared the band as sensitive to current geopolitics. Carl was on a break from the band, but Brian was there- I have no first hand accounts on how the concerts went but assume they weren’t brilliant.

Thanks for that info!

[Cam Mott]

Not only did the BBs notoriously play Sun City in 1981, but I read a 1981 Mike Love quote in the recently-published BBs In Concert book, where he said something to the effect of "the UN can screw themselves... it's [the gig is] good money", which may be the most crass thing ML has ever said, and almost made me ashamed to be a fan of the band when I read it.

What is the actual quote?