Mike and his Saxophone

[NateRuvin]

Mike played sax on a lot of early BBs recordings: Shut Down, Carl's Big Chance, Surf Jam, Misirlou, etc…
He even continued to play his "sax solo" on Shut Down into the 80's and 90's.
When's the last time he played sax live and on a record?

[Amy B.]

Don't forget that he played the sax solo on Kokomo.     
But seriously, where did Mike learn the sax? His sister played harp, right? Did Mike learn from his parents, or was he in the school band, or...?

[Steve Latshaw]

In the early 80s he would play the sax "solo" from Shut Down live.

[Autotune]

I can't answer the question but I suppose that when Richie Cannata left the band, they didn't have a saxophone handy anymore, and having an extra instrument mic'd to play only eight notes was probably too expensive. I wonder if it's been confirmed that it's him playing sax on "What I Say" in the Sydney (?) recording.

[joe_blow]

Found this compilation of Mike's sax on record:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flhaZZszgoc

[NateRuvin]

I also want to know how Mike wrote songs all by himself (Big Sur, Everybody's In With Love With You, etc…) without having much knowledge of chord structure and music theory… Does he know his way around a piano, perhaps at Al or Carl's level, but has had no need to play on record or on stage, so hasn't?

[Steve Latshaw]

<< Does he know his way around a piano, perhaps at Al or Carl's level, but has had no need to play on record or on stage, so hasn't? >>

As I recall, he plays guitar; composes on guitar.

[ontor pertawst]

Has anyone ever seen him compose on guitar? Other than an employee or family member, anyway. I'm sure he's a virtuoso in their eyes and plays the most intricate guitar parts flawlessly, only DOESN'T on stage to not let the others look subpar... and to maybe concentrate on pointing.

[CenturyDeprived]

When's the last time Mike has owned a sax? Do you think he has one at home? I think I've seen a photo of a piano at his home, but I could be mistaken.

[phirnis]

Many skilled/experienced musicians haven't ever written a piece of music only half as good as Big Sur.

[Steve Latshaw]

<<Has anyone ever seen him compose on guitar? Other than an employee or family member, anyway. I'm sure he's a virtuoso in their eyes and plays the most intricate guitar parts flawlessly, only DOESN'T on stage to not let the others look subpar... and to maybe concentrate on pointing.>>

He spoke of it in an interview.  As I recall, he made a point of saying that he wasn't much of a guitarist but knew enough to play some basic chords and write them down with lyrics.

Does that explanation suffice for you, Ont?  Or do we need to search deeper for more darker intent in his claims regarding said instrument?

[Autotune]

I would also say that singing complex harmony for such a long time, and singing the bass lines, must give him (or anyone) a fine intuition for chordal structures and progressions. I'm sure he can compose and imagine the chords on songs like Big Sur or Everyone's In Love With You without actually having to play them. Same for the rest of the guys, or most professional harmony singers.

[ontor pertawst]

Does that explanation suffice for you, Ont?  Or do we need to search deeper for more darker intent in his claims regarding said instrument?

Just curious if anyone has ever seen him compose with a guitar. I vaguely recall him holding one in one of those 70s tv specials... and he did lean on an instrument here, perhaps he was caught mid-composing hence the shy, surprised smile:

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

He sits alone, tooting his own horn.

[SMiLE Brian]

That's going on his grave stone.

[bgas]

Does that explanation suffice for you, Ont?  Or do we need to search deeper for more darker intent in his claims regarding said instrument?

Just curious if anyone has ever seen him compose with a guitar. I vaguely recall him holding one in one of those 70s tv specials... and he did lean on an instrument here, perhaps he was caught mid-composing hence the shy, surprised smile:

You can see Mike wearing/playing? an acoustic guitar in this thread: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,15038.0.html

[Juice Brohnston]

I remember a picture being posted on Male Ego of Mike 'holding' a guitar in the studio.  The comments that followed were laugh out loud funny.

[Moon Dawg]

  My guess is that Mike Love plays a better sax than 90% of the posters on this site and about the same for the general population. It's OK with me that Mike chooses not to dabble with the guitar on stage. Some frontmen who do so are quite competent (Mick Jagger) while others are generally posers (Bono).

  Daltrey never played guitar on stage during the glory days of The Who (65-82 being generous) but has often during latter day tours.

[CenturyDeprived]

  My guess is that Mike Love plays a better sax than 90% of the posters on this site and about the same for the general population. It's OK with me that Mike chooses not to dabble with the guitar on stage. Some frontmen who do so are quite competent (Mick Jagger) while others are generally posers (Bono).

  Daltrey never played guitar on stage during the glory days of The Who (65-82 being generous) but has often during latter day tours.

I wonder how many people think that Mike was the actual studio sax player on Kokomo, due to the music video?

[NateRuvin]

Many skilled/experienced musicians haven't ever written a piece of music only half as good as Big Sur.

You're right. Big Sur is beautiful. The arrangement is very tasteful as well. Who arranged it? Mike with the assistance of maybe Al and Carl?