Mike Love \

[KDS]

To be 100% honest, I find the lack of fact checking more offensive than anything Mike says in this article (we've heard it before). 

For one, it sounds like Al, Brian, and Bruce joined Mike for the reunion.  No mention of David Marks or the fact that Bruce was already in Mike's group.  And Brian left the tour in June?  Jeez.  Take five minutes to do some basic research. 

I think the little "factoid" about the 2012 reunion goes beyond even simple lack of fact-checking; there are plenty of articles that get a year wrong or a song title wrong, and usually it's a nitpicky issue that doesn't really mean anything. But not in this case. Saying Brian "left" the tour is HUGELY misleading and *conveniently* shunts responsibility (and any resulting criticism) regarding the end of the reunion away from Mike and towards Brian. That the reunion ended, and that it was *Mike* that chose to quit the band and desert a willing Brian and Al, is a *huge* hot-button, divisive topic for the band's history for this particular decade.

That the writer not only literally puts the wrong person's name in there, but also concocts a wildly incorrect date (June) for the end of the reunion makes me wonder where this incorrect info came from. Ultimately, of course, it's the writer who should fact-check *any* source. But I'm curious if he got the date or implication towards Brian from Mike himself. I believe June is around the time of Brian's alleged "no more shows" e-mail, so while I have no way of knowing if any of that info about the end of C50 came from Mike, I could totally envision Mike telling this writer that by allegedly sending that e-mail, Brian "left" the tour in "June."

I suppose that's a possibility.  

It seems like Mike makes the same points in these interviews that are usually published my a local paper or website in whatever town the Mike and Bruce show happen to be in that week.  And there are almost always factual errors in the article.  And, I really wouldn't expect it for a tour that happened so recently.

I will be interested to see if Mike expands on Brian's "handlers" in his book.  He mentions them in seemingly every interview, but he doesn't name check anybody.   I'm not saying I agree with Mike, but if you're going to compare anybody to Eugene Landy, I think you should at least expand on that point.  

[HeyJude]

Also worth noting is that the "if it was just he and I alone, things would be fine" reasoning, especially as it pertains to writing together, was proved incorrect in my opinion by the numerous observers of the C50 tour in 2012 who said that for huge chunks of the tour, neither Melinda nor Brian's agent were even on the tour. There was, by the testimony of these observers, nothing keeping Mike from approaching Brian for some songwriting while out on tour.

As one put it, they were without any buffers or handlers, and literally always within reach of a keyboard, and yet there is no evidence Mike *ever* approached Brian to do some writing together.

I think his bluff was kind of called on that one. He has always and continues to like to talk about his idealized "working alone with Brian" scenario, but it sounds to me like he just likes to have something to complain about and criticize Brian's "handlers" for.

I'm not even that convinced of how much Mike really wants to write with Brian anymore. The "I can't write with Brian alone because people around him" kind of just seems like a convenient complaint to continue to club people over the head with.

[HeyJude]

I will be interested to see if Mike expands on Brian's "handlers" in his book.  He mentions them in seemingly every interview, but he doesn't name check anybody.   I'm not saying I agree with Mike, but if you're going to compare anybody to Eugene Landy, I think you should at least expand on that point.  

I don't think, in my opinion, Mike can even decide which argument he wants to make. He kind of offers some implied comparison between Landy and Brian's current situation. Yet, at other points where it was a convenient point to make *against* Brian, essentially an "enemy of my enemy is my friend" scenario, Mike seem to *defend* Landy last year (and thus denigrate the "Love & Mercy" film) by holding up Evan Landy's article as something that really deserved a good deal of consideration.

Last year, Mike weirdly seemed to want to go to great lengths to point out that Landy *did* save Brian's life. So if people "around" Brian now echo Landy in any way, wouldn't Mike's own reasoning lead him to the conclusion that perhaps those "around" Brian are doing what's best for Brian now? Obviously not apparently.

[KDS]

Also worth noting is that the "if it was just he and I alone, things would be fine" reasoning, especially as it pertains to writing together, was proved incorrect in my opinion by the numerous observers of the C50 tour in 2012 who said that for huge chunks of the tour, neither Melinda nor Brian's agent were even on the tour. There was, by the testimony of these observers, nothing keeping Mike from approaching Brian for some songwriting while out on tour.

As one put it, they were without any buffers or handlers, and literally always within reach of a keyboard, and yet there is no evidence Mike *ever* approached Brian to do some writing together.

I think his bluff was kind of called on that one. He has always and continues to like to talk about his idealized "working alone with Brian" scenario, but it sounds to me like he just likes to have something to complain about and criticize Brian's "handlers" for.

I'm not even that convinced of how much Mike really wants to write with Brian anymore. The "I can't write with Brian alone because people around him" kind of just seems like a convenient complaint to continue to club people over the head with.

As much as I defend Mike, I don't know if he really wants to write with Brian, or if he just wants a couple credits on some new songs that will enter the album charts.  

He had his name on several songs on a #3 album four years ago.

Last spring, NPP debuted in the Top 30.  I'm sure Mike took note of that and thought, if he could've penned a lyric or two on a few of Brian's songs, he'd have been in the charts again.  

Or maybe Mike is really convinced that they could sit down and write some great BB tunes like in the pre Pet Sounds days, but that's very unrealistic.  

[HeyJude]

As much as I defend Mike, I don't know if he really wants to write with Brian, or if he just wants a couple credits on some new songs that will enter the album charts.  

He had his name on several songs on a #3 album four years ago.

Last spring, NPP debuted in the Top 30.  I'm sure Mike took note of that and thought, if he could've penned a lyric or two on a few of Brian's songs, he'd have been in the charts again.  

Or maybe Mike is really convinced that they could sit down and write some great BB tunes like in the pre Pet Sounds days, but that's very unrealistic.  

I'll go one step further, and this just my *opinion* and *guess* and *hunch* and nothing more, and suggest that while Mike presumably would probably try to sit down and write with Brian if whatever set of conditions were met to Mike's liking, that his interest in writing with Brian isn't really much of a thing. I think, to be blunt, that it seems like Mike really doesn't like Melinda and he tends to do what many people do when they don't like someone: Use any possible negative against that person.

I think he might be starting with not liking Melinda, and then working his way to things that would indicate something negative about her, such as Brian being "medicated", and Mike not getting to write with Brian.

I think there's a lot of ego. The "TWGMTR" album hit #3, the strongest album performance by the band in EONS, yet Mike is sour on the whole thing in part, in my opinion, because Joe Thomas's name is more prominent (and Thomas made more on songwriting royalties) on that album than Mike's.

Mike was pining for YEARS from the 90s through the 2000s about wanting to write with Brian again and work with Brian again. He got that in 2012 and he eventually balked. The bluff was called in my opinion in late 2012. It's easier to talk about being with Brian than actually being with him. It's easier to complain about people "around him" than actually just admit that maybe Brian doesn't want to write a bunch of tunes with Mike.

Maybe someday an interviewer will ask this to Mike: "Have you ever thought maybe Brian doesn't want to write with you?" I'll go ahead and assume Mike still has feelings, and I totally admit that this might be a difficult prospect for Mike to face. It could be quite ego-bruising, and in whatever way Mike has feelings (even if he doesn't appear to care if he might be presently hurting Brian's feelings), it could be hurtful for Mike to hear. But maybe someone will offer that as a reason that would contradict that "people around Brian" complaints.

[Magic Transistor Radio]

I'm going to help Mike out here.

"I'm very fortunate to have been involved with the Beach Boys"
"Brian is a musical prodigy.  If I was not Brian's cousin who knows what would have happened to me"
"I'd like to write some songs with Brian, but he chooses not to.  It's OK".
"Brian's mental health problems are unfortunate.  We all have our burdens to bare.  I wish things could have been different".
"If I could turn back the hands of time I would change many things, but I can't".

There, that was not so bad, was it Mike?

Mike has already said quote #1, The first sentences of quotes #2, 4 and 5.

It's all about context, though. Quote #2 is often dripping with a patronizing tone, and is often followed immediately by Mike mentioning all the bad stuff that came after. Quote #4, especially when offered unprompted, basically just comes across as dredging up the ills of the past, and stating something that everybody already knows. More than anything, for someone who is so close to so much of this saga, he seems to lack a healthy amount of empathy for Brian.

The whole point of quote #5 would be to express regret about something he, and he alone, has done. There's one interview from the last couple years where he was asked if he had any regrets, where clearly the interview was looking for Mike to do some *self-reflection*, and he answered that the Wilsons did drugs.

I think I meant 2, 3 and 4. I agree, he doesn't seem to regret much. But claiming he comes across patronizing doesn't mean he intends it that way. I have seen a couple interviews when he tears up when talking about Brian. It's like if you had a friend who had a head injury and the person you knew is no longer 'there'. I guess he feels that much of that is Brian's fault for the drugs, but he also has deep hatred for Dr Landy, who he said he wanted to kill if we didn't have laws against such things. He seems convinced also that Brian's current situation is no better. I think it is because the people around him actually care. But to a degree, Brian is a dependent and needs Jeff Foskett or Melinda or someone to help him get where he needs to go. Honestly, I don't know and hope that Brian wants to tour and record and isn't being forced or pressured.

[CenturyDeprived]

I think I meant 2, 3 and 4. I agree, he doesn't seem to regret much. But claiming he comes across patronizing doesn't mean he intends it that way. I have seen a couple interviews when he tears up when talking about Brian. It's like if you had a friend who had a head injury and the person you knew is no longer 'there'. I guess he feels that much of that is Brian's fault for the drugs, but he also has deep hatred for Dr Landy, who he said he wanted to kill if we didn't have laws against such things. He seems convinced also that Brian's current situation is no better. I think it is because the people around him actually care. But to a degree, Brian is a dependent and needs Jeff Foskett or Melinda or someone to help him get where he needs to go. Honestly, I don't know and hope that Brian wants to tour and record and isn't being forced or pressured.

Why is there never any public talk from Mike about the reasons (such as some peoples' attitudes) that perhaps might have contributed to being deep stressors which could have driven the Wilsons to take drugs? Yes, the Wilsons chose to take drugs, nobody forced them... but those drug-taking actions didn't happen in a bubble. Again... because... gasp, that might necessitate some *actual* deep personal reflection on Mike's part.

I'd be crazy to think that things like Dennis' increasingly outrageous outbursts and behavior were in no way, shape or form, contributing factors that could have led Mike to want to practice TM to blow off steam and anger/resentment. Plus, perhaps thoughts of being screwed out of songwriting credits by Murry (and Brian's subsequent inaction) kept infiltrating Mike's mind, and he may have gotten angrier and angrier just thinking about it. That these issues ate away at Mike are no-brainers; I think most people, even Mike's biggest fans, could see the logic in how those things could have been factors that may have led Mike to more fully embrace TM, to push out the negative energy. Therefore, I don't know why anyone would want to deny the same could be true for some actions of Mike being a (not *the*) contributing factor at times in why the Wilsons took drugs, to push out the negative energy.  

And you know what? I don't need to blame Mike for that. And maybe I don't have to blame Murry either. Everyone does what they're gonna do. I want to just cut Mike slack about that and be done with the blaming thing... but he's not over the blaming thing. So I can just as easily say with a straight face that Mike was a contributing factor in Brian taking drugs and Dennis drinking.  I just am fed up of hearing Mike talk about the Wilsons doing drugs, as though it's out of the bounds of reality that Mike Love could have inadvertently been *part* of the problems the Wilsons were trying to numb. I bring it up simply because Mike won't stop with the drug angle, and blaming things solely on the Wilsons.

While most of the stressors leading to drug use probably stemmed from Murry's damage, I'm sure Mike's omnipresent attitude problems did not exactly help. Sometimes I only half-facetiously wonder if Mike went down the TM path simply to be able to claim moral superiority over his cousins who he was jealous over - so that he'd have that one thing he could always be better than the Wilsons about.  

[Emily]

It's also a pretty uncool and crass thing to publicly say, especially considering that Brian has historically had a hard time saying "no" and avoids confrontation. Crass/uncool because this is a known thing, AND Mike knows it's a known thing. Yet somehow, Mike has it figured out... he's implied over and over again that many other collaborators/close persons in Brian's life (except Mike) have been manipulating Brian, yet Mike never, ever would think for one moment that Mike himself could possibly be capable of that. And the reader is simply expected to go along with this. How does that mindset work exactly? If I'm missing something, maybe someone can chime in.

Just because Mike truly, honestly doesn't *think* he is capable of manipulating Brian or bringing toxicity to a relationship, doesn't make it a fact... because people who do those things often refuse to acknowledge it. Mike obviously knows Brian is susceptible to manipulation by others (some truth to that, yes), but somehow, Mike... who undeniably wants something out of Brian (the sadly dysfunctional duality of both a hit song + an actual loving familial relationship)  is magically immune from ever being manipulative?

Mike will never address this topic in his book, of that we can be sure. The sad thing is that it's not entirely removed from the Landy situation. Landy was far and away the biggest creep in the BB saga, but I have a hunch that Landy himself honestly may not have consciously thought he was trying to manipulate Brian in a harmful way, for the sole reason that Landy had zero self-awareness and was nuts and mentally ill himself. Mike is way, way less nuts, and way, way less of a negative person in the BB story... but that said, his own lack of self-awareness about the similarities about his own INADVERTENTLY (giving Mike the benefit of the doubt here) manipulative behavior is one of the biggest elephants in the room for all time with regards to The BBs. Brian would hardly say a bad thing - even about Landy - until he was urged to do so by Melinda; why is it farfetched to think that Brian may have bad thoughts about Mike which are similarly emotionally held in? The problem is that Mike in turn believes Mike is never the cause of any problem, as Brian probably often keeps silent to Mike about hurt feelings caused by Mike. IMO this has warped Mike's mindset royally for decades.

If it were "just he and I"... that's exactly how Mike likes it. If Mike had his way, I assume that Mike would try to find a way to get Brian into a position to write songs about Mike-centric subjects. And eye rolls/mimed finger gunshot blasts to the head for ideas approaching the last few songs on TWGMTR. No need for pesky people who might play defense for Brian. Because Cousin Mike knows best: one-on-one is how it must be. And most especially (but of course Mike must never say this in an interview): supportive, well-intentioned spouses can go f*ck off.

And remind me again, why exactly would anyone think that Mike is so great at working through problems? Mike straight up fired Al/squeezed him out for having a dissenting opinion to Mike. Mike has many, many ex-wives. Mike got the group a (supposedly impartial) shrink that in actuality was in Mike's own back pocket.  In over three decades, Mike refuses to publicly acknowledge his own daughter/grandson from even existing on this planet.  Mike wants people to NOT know these things when they read the article. Mike (surprisingly and fortunately) recently publicly admitted to an anger management problem, and for cryin' out lout, everyone and their momma knows how truly, deeply scarred Brian is from dealing with angry alpha-males of Wilson lineage... but this could never apply to known angry demand-maker Mike?  People can have faults, I understand... but to make such a far-reaching claim in an interview - without also acknowledging that Mike himself could EVER be part of the BW/ML relationship problem - I just can't stop shaking my head. Mike must really think the article's readers are simpletons.

But yeah... Mike and Brian have a "special" bond that makes them able to get through any and all problems, healthily and in a non-toxic manner... and this is known for a FACT.

It's a  ***FACT***!!!

The only fact is that Mike knows that the only way Mike would ever get industry cred/respect again at this point is to write a hit song with Brian, without any other co-writers involved. It ain't gonna happen because he tried to force it to instantly happen in 2012. It might have happened post-TWGMTR, maybe an album or two later, if Mike had gone along with things and let things happen naturally/organically, with the BBs back together, without Mike demand after Mike demand. Mike HAS to know this deep inside, but won't admit it because it's just easier to blame Melinda. Mike got used to blame-shifting years ago, and he can't stop himself. That's Mike's addiction. Not drugs and alcohol. But almost as bad in its own way, because he has found a way to enable himself and *always* absolve himself from any/all responsibility for any number of destructive actions.  At least publicly.

And yeah... blame Brian for the reunion ending. It's ALL on Brian. Yep. Get that into the interwebs and repeat it enough so that some low-information people actually believe it. It's all just so sad and maddening to see every ounce of goodwill that people give Mike - including my own goodwill and honest praise - get trampled on by Mike running his mouth over and over again. Mike's contributions to Warmth of the Sun + Please Let Me Wonder are and will always be rad to the max. That changes nothing about this article consisting of pure poopoo.

This is a pretty epic take down. It feels over-the-top but sadly, up until the last two paragraphs, there really isn't anything to quibble with. It's spot-on. The problem I have with Mike Love interviews is that lack of self-awareness. He's right in the camp of people who want control over Brian Wilson. I'm sure many if not all of them think that they are doing it for beneficent reasons and that all of the others are doing it for malevolent reasons, and perhaps some are right that they are beneficent and that others are malevolent, but he doesn't even seem to notice that he's doing it at all. He somehow places his maneuverings in a different category. He seems to believe that being a cousin and being there first gives him some sort of right to control that others don't have.


Separately, I give Mike a benefit-of-the-doubt on the 'medication' comments. I think they're highly inappropriate and I think he's stigmatizing medication for mental health, but I do think he actually is a drug puritan and probably authentically believes that pharmaceuticals are generally an evil. I disagree with him  but I do think that those are his authentic beliefs.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

My mind keeps going back to the sanctioned American Family biopic. In it there's a scene where Mike says to Brian words to the effect of, "Maybe you will see that you need me as much as I need you." It's a very emotional moment for the Mike character in the film. If it is the case that Mike genuinely believes this then no doubt the last twenty years, and in particular the years since the BWPS tour and album, have been probably very difficult to understand.

There's no doubt that at this stage, Brian needs the Beach Boys brand in order to generate the kind of success that came out of the Radio album. But ultimately, since the 90s, we have seen Brian getting his life in order in a way that virtually no one could have anticipated. Plus, he has had three top 30 albums out in the last twelve years, he has been the subject of many specials, has had a major motion picture made about him, has won a Grammy, and has repeatedly won the praise of his peers and of music journalists. This happened during a period in which Mike wasn't around that much and, in fact, during Brian's most commercially successful period, he was sued by Mike. So if it is the case that Mike thinks that Brian needs him - either on a personal or professional level - then all of this has to be confusing unless one believes that that's not really Brian. Or, rather, that all of this success has come out of a well orchestrated plan over which Brian has very little control.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Brian is not a fucking invalid. And no, he's not being controlled or forced to do anything.

Sorry if I come across as harsh, but at my wits end with reading stuff like that

[HeyJude]

On top of everything else, as I alluded to before, both Brian and Mike are shareholders in a corporation. When a shareholder starts questioning another shareholder's ability to make decisions, discusses their being medicated, that's a serious issue.

Mike doesn't appear to moving for a conservatorship or anything; he doesn't seem to be doing anything to help Brian out of what he apparently thinks is a bad situation. So how nefarious is anything that's going on with Brian. It's just nefarious enough for Mike to complain and cast shade, but not enough to do anything about it.

Sounds much more like Brian's just not doing what Mike thinks he should be doing (writing with Mike, saying even more nice things about Mike, I guess?), and Mike has to explain it away by citing medication and handlers and all of that. It's a very common human trait, to come up with some explanation that doesn't involve Mike being the issue or problem.

[HeyJude]

Brian is not a fucking invalid. And no, he's not being controlled or forced to do anything.

Sorry if I come across as harsh, but at my wits end with reading stuff like that

Worth keeping in mind as well is, how much has Mike been around/with Brian outside of, say, mid-2011 through September 2012? Mike said nothing during or even immediately after the 2012 tour casting aspersions on Brian's situation.

Have they even been in the same room together since September of 2012? How would Mike even *know* what goes on with Brian's life in any detail?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Brian is not a fucking invalid. And no, he's not being controlled or forced to do anything.

Sorry if I come across as harsh, but at my wits end with reading stuff like that

Worth keeping in mind as well is, how much has Mike been around/with Brian outside of, say, mid-2011 through September 2012? Mike said nothing during or even immediately after the 2012 tour casting aspersions on Brian's situation.

Have they even been in the same room together since September of 2012? How would Mike even *know* what goes on with Brian's life in any detail?

Exactly.

You know, if it was the other way around, and Brian was saying things like this about Mike (which he wouldn't, but work with me here), Mike would slap him with a libel suit.

[Pretty Funky]

I take Ray Lawlors thoughts on the C50 over Mikes any day. From a previous thread.

Whatever happened to the follow-up question? Like this last interview, the statement is made that Brian is being "controlled"...then you ask a follow-up: "Who is controlling him?"...or "What exactly are they controlling?"...

And much like happened here a lot in the past months, someone makes that charge of Brian being controlled, or of Brian's people doing this or that...the simple question is asked: "Who are these people?"...and no one seems to know.

Everyone knows Brian is under control...yet the people controlling him cannot be ID'ed. But there are managers, agents, PR staff, travel staff...the same business structure a touring musician or artist has making certain decisions and handling business the artist doesn't do, including Mike.

Another follow up:

The statement is made that "Brian's people" or a variation thereof are somehow tearing Mike down.

Simple follow-up: "Who is doing this, and where is it being done?"

***Someone please find me an interview or a public statement of recent years where Brian has spoken negatively about Mike.***


And the ultimate follow-up: "Who are your people, Mike?"

This is getting so g******n tedious. I finally caved in and read this interview, as I was avoiding it, figuring it was more of the same that we keep getting.  But then I read this nugget ; that Brian is controlled; this time by being given prescribed medication . So apparently some of the better doctors on the planet are in on this shadow conspiracy And that Brian's people are tearing down Mike. I will paraphrase Guitarfool....show me the recent interview or statement from Brian saying anything negative about Mike .

I believe the Beach Boys C50 played 73 dates; I went to 20-25 of them ; I cant remember all of them; all US , except the final two shows in London. Melinda Wilson attended the first 3 , I am certain; she was at the Beacon in NY for two shows there , the Hollywood Bowl and the next night; then she attended the last two nights in London.  So she attended roughly a little over 10 per cent of the C50 shows; so the other 88% or so of the C50 tour , who was "controlling" Brian and keeping him from Mike ?  Can anybody identify the "controllers" ? There was all sorts of opportunity , every night of that tour for Mike and Brian to get together ; how about at catering , every night...as I said I was at 20-25 of the C50 shows; I was in catering at all of them....so was everyone else in the band and crew....not once did I see Mike and Brian sit together , or for either of them to initiate a dialogue with each other.  Their respective dressing rooms were usually adjacent; within 15-20 feet of each other......Melinda Wilson wasn't there , so she wasn't keeping them apart; Jeff Foskett sure as hell wasn't keeping them apart....There was certainly no animosity between them , and ample opportunity to have time together, but it didn't ever happen ; at least not that I saw when I was there. There was even one last opportunity at the end of C50 in London.  Brian and Melinda held a thank you dinner for all the band and crew at an Italian restaurant in Knightsbridge. There would have been one final opportunity for Brian and Mike to sit down  and talk things out over a bowl of pasta , but unfortunately Mike and Bruce had a prior commitment and couldn't attend.....no "controllers " kept them apart there either.

I don't know what the end game is here for Mike in all these interviews with the constant rehash of Brian's long ago excessive recreational drug use ;   is it the interviewer asking the "same old" questions or is it Mike wanting to rehash it ?

If I am in Brian Wilson's chair, I am fed up hearing about my past drug issues, especially as I have not touched a recreational drug in over 35 years;

I am fed up with hearing about how my dead brothers, whom I think about every day, made poor lifestyle choices (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes)which lead to their early deaths ;

I am fed up with hearing about how controlled I am ; first by non existent handlers , and now by medicine prescribed by ,arguably some of the best doctors in the world.  

Here is how controlled Brian is.

I had dinner last Wed night with Brian and Melinda up in Beverly Glen. I called Brian and it went something like this: Me : " Hi Brian , how are you ?  Brian: "doing ok , how about you ? " Me : "Great ; I am in town , do you want to have dinner tonight ?" Brian:" yeah , great. Where do you want to go ? " Me: " You pick "  Brian:" ok , meet me at my house at 5:30 ". The three of us went to dinner in Beverly Glen; nice time. Brian was in good spirits ; we talked about the new album and upcoming tour.  All was good. They played me the final mix of "Last Song"; all in all the same kind of evening I have had with him for the last almost 20 years.  

My point ?  I find it difficult ,if not impossible, to believe that it is easier for me to see Brian Wilson than it is for Mike Love to see him . Mike has the number; 9 times out of 10 , Brian will usually answer. It's just not that complicated.

[HeyJude]

These two points in particular I think are key, and get to the root of Mike's lack of empathy (which is the more optimistic alternative to saying he's purposely being a d**k):

If I am in Brian Wilson's chair, I am fed up hearing about my past drug issues, especially as I have not touched a recreational drug in over 35 years;

I am fed up with hearing about how my dead brothers, whom I think about every day, made poor lifestyle choices (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes)which lead to their early deaths ;

[Pretty Funky]

Message to Mike. How an interview 'should' be done.


http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/aug/17/beach-boys-member-al-jardine-touring-brian-wilson/

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I take Ray Lawlors thoughts on the C50 over Mikes any day. From a previous thread.

Whatever happened to the follow-up question? Like this last interview, the statement is made that Brian is being "controlled"...then you ask a follow-up: "Who is controlling him?"...or "What exactly are they controlling?"...

And much like happened here a lot in the past months, someone makes that charge of Brian being controlled, or of Brian's people doing this or that...the simple question is asked: "Who are these people?"...and no one seems to know.

Everyone knows Brian is under control...yet the people controlling him cannot be ID'ed. But there are managers, agents, PR staff, travel staff...the same business structure a touring musician or artist has making certain decisions and handling business the artist doesn't do, including Mike.

Another follow up:

The statement is made that "Brian's people" or a variation thereof are somehow tearing Mike down.

Simple follow-up: "Who is doing this, and where is it being done?"

***Someone please find me an interview or a public statement of recent years where Brian has spoken negatively about Mike.***


And the ultimate follow-up: "Who are your people, Mike?"

This is getting so g******n tedious. I finally caved in and read this interview, as I was avoiding it, figuring it was more of the same that we keep getting.  But then I read this nugget ; that Brian is controlled; this time by being given prescribed medication . So apparently some of the better doctors on the planet are in on this shadow conspiracy And that Brian's people are tearing down Mike. I will paraphrase Guitarfool....show me the recent interview or statement from Brian saying anything negative about Mike .

I believe the Beach Boys C50 played 73 dates; I went to 20-25 of them ; I cant remember all of them; all US , except the final two shows in London. Melinda Wilson attended the first 3 , I am certain; she was at the Beacon in NY for two shows there , the Hollywood Bowl and the next night; then she attended the last two nights in London.  So she attended roughly a little over 10 per cent of the C50 shows; so the other 88% or so of the C50 tour , who was "controlling" Brian and keeping him from Mike ?  Can anybody identify the "controllers" ? There was all sorts of opportunity , every night of that tour for Mike and Brian to get together ; how about at catering , every night...as I said I was at 20-25 of the C50 shows; I was in catering at all of them....so was everyone else in the band and crew....not once did I see Mike and Brian sit together , or for either of them to initiate a dialogue with each other.  Their respective dressing rooms were usually adjacent; within 15-20 feet of each other......Melinda Wilson wasn't there , so she wasn't keeping them apart; Jeff Foskett sure as hell wasn't keeping them apart....There was certainly no animosity between them , and ample opportunity to have time together, but it didn't ever happen ; at least not that I saw when I was there. There was even one last opportunity at the end of C50 in London.  Brian and Melinda held a thank you dinner for all the band and crew at an Italian restaurant in Knightsbridge. There would have been one final opportunity for Brian and Mike to sit down  and talk things out over a bowl of pasta , but unfortunately Mike and Bruce had a prior commitment and couldn't attend.....no "controllers " kept them apart there either.

I don't know what the end game is here for Mike in all these interviews with the constant rehash of Brian's long ago excessive recreational drug use ;   is it the interviewer asking the "same old" questions or is it Mike wanting to rehash it ?

If I am in Brian Wilson's chair, I am fed up hearing about my past drug issues, especially as I have not touched a recreational drug in over 35 years;

I am fed up with hearing about how my dead brothers, whom I think about every day, made poor lifestyle choices (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes)which lead to their early deaths ;

I am fed up with hearing about how controlled I am ; first by non existent handlers , and now by medicine prescribed by ,arguably some of the best doctors in the world.  

Here is how controlled Brian is.

I had dinner last Wed night with Brian and Melinda up in Beverly Glen. I called Brian and it went something like this: Me : " Hi Brian , how are you ?  Brian: "doing ok , how about you ? " Me : "Great ; I am in town , do you want to have dinner tonight ?" Brian:" yeah , great. Where do you want to go ? " Me: " You pick "  Brian:" ok , meet me at my house at 5:30 ". The three of us went to dinner in Beverly Glen; nice time. Brian was in good spirits ; we talked about the new album and upcoming tour.  All was good. They played me the final mix of "Last Song"; all in all the same kind of evening I have had with him for the last almost 20 years.  

My point ?  I find it difficult ,if not impossible, to believe that it is easier for me to see Brian Wilson than it is for Mike Love to see him . Mike has the number; 9 times out of 10 , Brian will usually answer. It's just not that complicated.

Yup...and if anybody knows Brian, it's Ray.

[CenturyDeprived]

Brian is not a fucking invalid. And no, he's not being controlled or forced to do anything.

Sorry if I come across as harsh, but at my wits end with reading stuff like that

Worth keeping in mind as well is, how much has Mike been around/with Brian outside of, say, mid-2011 through September 2012? Mike said nothing during or even immediately after the 2012 tour casting aspersions on Brian's situation.

Have they even been in the same room together since September of 2012? How would Mike even *know* what goes on with Brian's life in any detail?

Exactly.

You know, if it was the other way around, and Brian was saying things like this about Mike (which he wouldn't, but work with me here), Mike would slap him with a libel suit.

Absofrigginlutely

[CenturyDeprived]

These two points in particular I think are key, and get to the root of Mike's lack of empathy (which is the more optimistic alternative to saying he's purposely being a d**k):

If I am in Brian Wilson's chair, I am fed up hearing about my past drug issues, especially as I have not touched a recreational drug in over 35 years;

I am fed up with hearing about how my dead brothers, whom I think about every day, made poor lifestyle choices (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes)which lead to their early deaths ;

I agree completely with those sentiments, but is the 35 years figure accurate? I thought at minimum, Brian had some joints during the Landy II era (Landy-approved joints).

[SMiLE Brian]

Bullies can dish it out but can't take it.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Yeah, there's video evidence, but...I personally consider weed a medicine that can be used recreationally as opposed to a recreational drug.

[CenturyDeprived]

Yeah, there's video evidence, but...I personally consider weed a medicine that can be used recreationally as opposed to a recreational drug.

I completely agree with that, Billy!

[CenturyDeprived]

Bullies can dish it out but can't take it.

When one reads Mike's article, contrasted with the just-posted classy (as always) Al article, I don't know how anyone could honestly disagree with what you said, SB.

[Debbie KL]

I take Ray Lawlors thoughts on the C50 over Mikes any day. From a previous thread.

Whatever happened to the follow-up question? Like this last interview, the statement is made that Brian is being "controlled"...then you ask a follow-up: "Who is controlling him?"...or "What exactly are they controlling?"...

And much like happened here a lot in the past months, someone makes that charge of Brian being controlled, or of Brian's people doing this or that...the simple question is asked: "Who are these people?"...and no one seems to know.

Everyone knows Brian is under control...yet the people controlling him cannot be ID'ed. But there are managers, agents, PR staff, travel staff...the same business structure a touring musician or artist has making certain decisions and handling business the artist doesn't do, including Mike.

Another follow up:

The statement is made that "Brian's people" or a variation thereof are somehow tearing Mike down.

Simple follow-up: "Who is doing this, and where is it being done?"

***Someone please find me an interview or a public statement of recent years where Brian has spoken negatively about Mike.***


And the ultimate follow-up: "Who are your people, Mike?"

This is getting so g******n tedious. I finally caved in and read this interview, as I was avoiding it, figuring it was more of the same that we keep getting.  But then I read this nugget ; that Brian is controlled; this time by being given prescribed medication . So apparently some of the better doctors on the planet are in on this shadow conspiracy And that Brian's people are tearing down Mike. I will paraphrase Guitarfool....show me the recent interview or statement from Brian saying anything negative about Mike .

I believe the Beach Boys C50 played 73 dates; I went to 20-25 of them ; I cant remember all of them; all US , except the final two shows in London. Melinda Wilson attended the first 3 , I am certain; she was at the Beacon in NY for two shows there , the Hollywood Bowl and the next night; then she attended the last two nights in London.  So she attended roughly a little over 10 per cent of the C50 shows; so the other 88% or so of the C50 tour , who was "controlling" Brian and keeping him from Mike ?  Can anybody identify the "controllers" ? There was all sorts of opportunity , every night of that tour for Mike and Brian to get together ; how about at catering , every night...as I said I was at 20-25 of the C50 shows; I was in catering at all of them....so was everyone else in the band and crew....not once did I see Mike and Brian sit together , or for either of them to initiate a dialogue with each other.  Their respective dressing rooms were usually adjacent; within 15-20 feet of each other......Melinda Wilson wasn't there , so she wasn't keeping them apart; Jeff Foskett sure as hell wasn't keeping them apart....There was certainly no animosity between them , and ample opportunity to have time together, but it didn't ever happen ; at least not that I saw when I was there. There was even one last opportunity at the end of C50 in London.  Brian and Melinda held a thank you dinner for all the band and crew at an Italian restaurant in Knightsbridge. There would have been one final opportunity for Brian and Mike to sit down  and talk things out over a bowl of pasta , but unfortunately Mike and Bruce had a prior commitment and couldn't attend.....no "controllers " kept them apart there either.

I don't know what the end game is here for Mike in all these interviews with the constant rehash of Brian's long ago excessive recreational drug use ;   is it the interviewer asking the "same old" questions or is it Mike wanting to rehash it ?

If I am in Brian Wilson's chair, I am fed up hearing about my past drug issues, especially as I have not touched a recreational drug in over 35 years;

I am fed up with hearing about how my dead brothers, whom I think about every day, made poor lifestyle choices (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes)which lead to their early deaths ;

I am fed up with hearing about how controlled I am ; first by non existent handlers , and now by medicine prescribed by ,arguably some of the best doctors in the world.  

Here is how controlled Brian is.

I had dinner last Wed night with Brian and Melinda up in Beverly Glen. I called Brian and it went something like this: Me : " Hi Brian , how are you ?  Brian: "doing ok , how about you ? " Me : "Great ; I am in town , do you want to have dinner tonight ?" Brian:" yeah , great. Where do you want to go ? " Me: " You pick "  Brian:" ok , meet me at my house at 5:30 ". The three of us went to dinner in Beverly Glen; nice time. Brian was in good spirits ; we talked about the new album and upcoming tour.  All was good. They played me the final mix of "Last Song"; all in all the same kind of evening I have had with him for the last almost 20 years.  

My point ?  I find it difficult ,if not impossible, to believe that it is easier for me to see Brian Wilson than it is for Mike Love to see him . Mike has the number; 9 times out of 10 , Brian will usually answer. It's just not that complicated.

Yup...and if anybody knows Brian, it's Ray.

Ray remains one of Brian's closest friends through today, and he's quite clear that there are no "handlers," that any meds are from Brian's highly-respected doctors, that Mike could pick up the phone and get Brian, just as Ray does. So, since by Mike's and Brian's public accounts, it appears they haven't seen each other since 2012 (at least in any significant way, maybe not at all(, where does Mike get his information about Brian's "Landy-esque" conditions?  I doubt he's on the phone to Melinda or Brian's support people on the road, so where does this information come from?  He's clearly not on the phone with Brian.  Is he listening to gossip from someone with an ax to grind?  Or does he just make this up?  In any case, it's despicable.

[HeyJude]

Yeah, there's video evidence, but...I personally consider weed a medicine that can be used recreationally as opposed to a recreational drug.

Certainly, in the whole "drugs" discussion pertaining to drugs, nobody is talking about pot. Even Mike says in the very interview in question:

“I’m hoping they get the fact that the reason I’m still doing what I’m doing at the level we’re doing it, meaning a volume of work and stuff like that, is probably because I chose a path that wasn’t a path of all the nefarious drugs that my cousins did — I mean, serious, serious stuff. I chose not to,” Love said, referring to his Beach Boys band mates, brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson. “I will say that during the ‘60s, I did my share of weed."

So even Mike's not talking about weed.

Interestingly, Mike also points out:

"But once I learned to meditate, I gave up hard liquor...."

And I would argue that drinking beer and wine and all of that could potentially be as problematic as "hard liquor", but that's just a separate sort of semantics thing.

I think the whole thing stinks. Mike seems to have some sort of weird complex about so many things. Look at this interview. What would a *normal* person say if asked about how they manage to be so active at an advanced age? A normal person would say "I've lived a healthy lifestyle." Mike's not healthy because he *didn't* do drugs. He's healthy because of what he has done. But no, it immediately has to come back to *not* doing something *bad* that his cousins did.

He has to drag someone else down to pump himself up. It's just sad.

It's not like Brian gives interviews about how he was able to write a good song because "I chose the path over the years of not being a douche like my cousin."