Does Mike Love realize he is despised by millions of fans?

[urbanite]

I am sure that Mike feels that whatever mistakes he has made, they pale in comparison to all the horrible behavior and bad decisions made by Brian Wilson over the years.

[clack]

A more interesting question : why is Mike Love so despised for being a run-of-the-mill jerk, when many truly horrible rock stars are given a pass? Lou Reed? Brian Jones? Arthur Lee? Jimmy Page? Chuck Berry? Etc.

[SMiLE Brian]

Because he had so little talent compared to them...

[CenturyDeprived]

A more interesting question : why is Mike Love so despised for being a run-of-the-mill jerk, when many truly horrible rock stars are given a pass? Lou Reed? Brian Jones? Arthur Lee? Jimmy Page? Chuck Berry? Etc.

I'm largely unfamiliar with the details of those other stars you mentioned, but I'll just say that if any of those folks you mentioned above had an extremely, monumentally talented and incredibly sensitive bandmate (and relative) who they may have inadvertently impacted in a negative way, both on artistic as well as personal levels, and that impacted person had a *particularly* sympathetic well-known survival story with a comeback ending... there'd probably be more of a parallel.

This is a really unique case, compounded by decades of adding insult to injury with interview after interview. Literally every move that Mike has made over decades that could have undone damage and helped his reputation has eventually been squandered. Every single one. It sucks.

[The LEGENDARY OSD]

Because he had so little talent compared to them...

You nailed it SB!! Post of the Summer Award, hands down, dude!!   and 100 woots.

[SMiLE Brian]

  Thanks OSD!

[JL]

To hear him say it:

"For those who believe that Brian walks on water, I will always be the Antichrist." - According to Mike Love's Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy

I think he knows. And that ^^ is a pretty condescending way of putting it, too, which kinda reinforces the idea of him being viewed as the 'bad guy'. lol I personally like him but he doesn't make it easy sometimes.

What he says isn't untrue. 

But, I do think that "despised by millions" is an exaggeration. 

Good point on both counts.

I think he is probably despised by a million fans, not millions, if that's any consolation to him.

[SMiLE Brian]

Good point! 

[kreen]

And I'm sure you don't mean to come off as belittling to Brian when you say "not allowed" but really when you say something like that, it really is pretty disrespectful, especially after the great input that awesome people like Ray Lawlor have given us around here.

Yeah, but come on. People can say what they want, but I'll form my own opinion about how much say Brian Wilson has over his own career. I see the tours, listen to the interviews, and listen to the solo CDs, and that gives me an impression that is pretty hard to shake...

[guitarfool2002]

And I'm sure you don't mean to come off as belittling to Brian when you say "not allowed" but really when you say something like that, it really is pretty disrespectful, especially after the great input that awesome people like Ray Lawlor have given us around here.

Yeah, but come on. People can say what they want, but I'll form my own opinion about how much say Brian Wilson has over his own career. I see the tours, listen to the interviews, and listen to the solo CDs, and that gives me an impression that is pretty hard to shake...

>>>
"I will never change with what I think happened in here and you will never convince me otherwise." - Dr. Beach Boy.
<<<

You're in good company with that kind of thinking.

[kreen]

We know this isn't gonna happen, but:

Giving an interview where he sincerely publicly apologizes for many, many instances of sh*tty behavior, acknowledges acting in a super toxic way for decades, and having massive ego problems, and how he is trying to get help for these things... this would help his image in the eyes of a number of people. It wouldn't change everything overnight, but it would help. 

Gee, is this what we want from our ROCK STARS now? "I'm so sorry for my "toxic" behavior, but I'm taking sensitivity classes now, and I'll be donating the proceeds of my next tour to Brian Wilson's favorite charity". I don't want such whimpering from anyone. They're all millionaires, they're all grown men, they're all people who have lived long lives where not everything they did was incredibly nice. Brian Wilson included.

We don't know any of those guys personally, and the reason BW comes off better in interviews is because he answers in monosyllables so we don't know what he's like in real life. Mike Love, as the lead singer and main lyricist of the Beach Boys, has given me and all of us here 50 years of entertainment, and I'm going to stand in moral judgement of him?

I say: Long live Mike Love! Long live Brian Wilson! Long live the Beach Boys!

[guitarfool2002]

We know this isn't gonna happen, but:

Giving an interview where he sincerely publicly apologizes for many, many instances of sh*tty behavior, acknowledges acting in a super toxic way for decades, and having massive ego problems, and how he is trying to get help for these things... this would help his image in the eyes of a number of people. It wouldn't change everything overnight, but it would help. 

Gee, is this what we want from our ROCK STARS now? "I'm so sorry for my "toxic" behavior, but I'm taking sensitivity classes now, and I'll be donating the proceeds of my next tour to Brian Wilson's favorite charity". I don't want such whimpering from anyone. They're all millionaires, they're all grown men, they're all people who have lived long lives where not everything they did was incredibly nice. Brian Wilson included.

We don't know any of those guys personally, and the reason BW comes off better in interviews is because he answers in monosyllables so we don't know what he's like in real life. Mike Love, as the lead singer and main lyricist of the Beach Boys, has given me and all of us here 50 years of entertainment, and I'm going to stand in moral judgement of him?

I say: Long live Mike Love! Long live Brian Wilson! Long live the Beach Boys!

You left out "It's all about the music!".

Happy Wednesday! 

[CenturyDeprived]

Gee, is this what we want from our ROCK STARS now? "I'm so sorry for my "toxic" behavior, but I'm taking sensitivity classes now, and I'll be donating the proceeds of my next tour to Brian Wilson's favorite charity". I don't want such whimpering from anyone.  

Is a rock star repeatedly, over and over again, whining publicly about not being liked enough what you (or I) want from our rock stars? We have that in spades from Mike. Of the two options, I'd prefer to see said rock star have some self-realization and come to terms with why they have the reputation they have, and attempt to reflect inwards to correct it.  Even if it means getting a bit mushy in an honest, sincere interview, and dispensing with the idea of the word "but". Saying that he f***ed up, pure and simple, and that he didn't mean to cause pain to anyone. With no motherf*cking "buts", period.

That's the problem with alpha male BS; making the very idea of a guy being sensitive, self-reflecting, and actually apologetic for literally a single thing actually some sort of awful thing (akin to "whimpering") to be feared. Your comment is perpetuating that toxicity, in my humble opinion, I'm sorry to say. Yes, "toxic" behavior is a thing.

It's the fact that there's such a stigma from some faction of society that feeds into and enables Mike's unfortunate behavior which has led to Mike having his unfortunate reputation.

[guitarfool2002]

In general it isn't viewed as a positive trait to get what you want, what you were fighting for or even asking for, then continue complaining about it and rehashing the whole saga over and over in an attempt to win...what...more sympathy? Empathy? Ticket sales?

[kreen]

Yes, "toxic" behavior is a thing.

Well then Brian Wilson can pick up the phone and call Mike Love and let him have it about his "toxicity" (such a silly word, "toxic": are we talking about people or nuclear waste?).

Both men perform to adoring crowds regularly so I think that Mike Love feels that, all things considered, he's a pretty popular guy.

[guitarfool2002]

Yes, "toxic" behavior is a thing.

Well then Brian Wilson can pick up the phone and call Mike Love and let him have it about his "toxicity" (such a silly word, "toxic": are we talking about people or nuclear waste?).

Both men perform to adoring crowds regularly so I think that Mike Love feels that, all things considered, he's a pretty popular guy.

Are people in those adoring crowds coming to adore The Beach Boys and the songs, or Mike Love himself?

I think you inadvertently hit on one of the core issues at play. Do you think Mike feels the people are coming to see and adore him when they buy Beach Boys tickets in 2017? It's been suggested that is indeed the situation, choose to believe it or not. But it also begs the question then why doesn't Mike tour under his own name and unload the burden of having to pay BRI for a license?

I mean, if people are coming to cheer and adore Mike, wouldn't they come to a show billed under Mike's name for the same reason?

[Cabinessenceking]

'Millions' might be a stretch.

I doubt millions know his name, but of those who do many hate him with a passion.

[Tony S]

As I recall, back right after Carl passed away, and before he had any license, Mike toured under a non Beach Boys banner....I think it was something like America's Band featuring Mike Love, something like that. I remember he came to one of the casino shows in Atlantic City area, and from what I remember he was playing one of those small, Happy Hour type rooms, not the big show rooms we see nowadays. I think the turnout was pretty BLAH....many did not know who he was I assume. Clearly, paying for the license and using the name Beach Boys is more financially attractive o him than going by his own moniker. Night and day, as it's the name "Beach Boys' that draws the crowds. And frankly, he knows that, ego or not.

[rab2591]

To hear him say it:

"For those who believe that Brian walks on water, I will always be the Antichrist." - According to Mike Love's Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy

I think he knows. And that ^^ is a pretty condescending way of putting it, too, which kinda reinforces the idea of him being viewed as the 'bad guy'. lol I personally like him but he doesn't make it easy sometimes.

What he says isn't untrue.  

But, I do think that "despised by millions" is an exaggeration.  

Isn’t untrue?

It’s a catchy quote meant to make headlines (which it did) but nothing more. Firstly, Brian walking on water? A lot of people think Brian Wilson is a genius and yet some of these people also seem to like Mike too (or at least haven’t publicly said a bad word about the guy). Here Mike lugs in everyone who thinks extremely highly of Brian Wilson...in Mike’s mind apparently you can’t think Brian is a genius/great man without also hating Mike...this is such a childish outlook - you honestly think the two have to go hand in hand?

KDS, have you read the 2005 lawsuit? The quote(s) in there about Brian sitting around doing nothing but taking drugs and collecting royalty checks is why people hate Mike - and you don’t need to think Brian is a genius (or walks on water) to see how those lies in Mike’s own lawsuit make Mike an asshole. That antichrist quote from Mike is indeed untrue, it’s absolutely silly - it’s a line from a guy who has absolutely no grasp on the affect of his own actions and statements over the years. Brian did nothing from 1967 onward but take drugs and collect royalty checks? The amount of sh*t you Mike apologists ignore to prop up your man is staggering. Mike himself co-wrote beautiful songs with Brian post ‘67 yet he lied about this in his lawsuit that was dismissed just FIVE years prior to the C50.

To recap, firstly there are people out there who think insanely highly of Brian who don’t give a sh*t about Mike either way (so Mike’s statement is untrue). Secondly, this statement is geared toward people who either haven’t read or willfully ignore things like the 2005 lawsuit where Mike blatantly lies about Brian in a childish attempt to make a quick buck. Thirdly, you can hate Mike while not knowing or caring anything at all about Brian Wilson: anyone willing to lie about their own family member to make some cash is a sleaze...and it’s utterly mindblowing the depths people go to defend this shitty behavior.

[Ang Jones]

Didn't Mike once say that Brian watered his legend every day? Well, Mike sure as hell waters his bad reputation. It isn't just something nasty he did once long ago. He continues to do and say things that reinforce the bad opinions some of us have about him.

[KDS]

To hear him say it:

"For those who believe that Brian walks on water, I will always be the Antichrist." - According to Mike Love's Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy

I think he knows. And that ^^ is a pretty condescending way of putting it, too, which kinda reinforces the idea of him being viewed as the 'bad guy'. lol I personally like him but he doesn't make it easy sometimes.

What he says isn't untrue.  

But, I do think that "despised by millions" is an exaggeration.  

Isn’t untrue?

It’s a catchy quote meant to make headlines (which it did) but nothing more. Firstly, Brian walking on water? A lot of people think Brian Wilson is a genius and yet some of these people also seem to like Mike too (or at least haven’t publicly said a bad word about the guy). Here Mike lugs in everyone who thinks extremely highly of Brian Wilson...in Mike’s mind apparently you can’t think Brian is a genius/great man without also hating Mike...this is such a childish outlook - you honestly think the two have to go hand in hand?

KDS, have you read the 2005 lawsuit? The quote(s) in there about Brian sitting around doing nothing but taking drugs and collecting royalty checks is why people hate Mike - and you don’t need to think Brian is a genius (or walks on water) to see how those lies in Mike’s own lawsuit make Mike an asshole. That antichrist quote from Mike is indeed untrue, it’s absolutely silly - it’s a line from a guy who has absolutely no grasp on the affect of his own actions and statements over the years. Brian did nothing from 1967 onward but take drugs and collect royalty checks? The amount of sh*t you Mike apologists ignore to prop up your man is staggering. Mike himself co-wrote beautiful songs with Brian post ‘67 yet he lied about this in his lawsuit that was dismissed just FIVE years prior to the C50.

To recap, firstly there are people out there who think insanely highly of Brian who don’t give a sh*t about Mike either way (so Mike’s statement is untrue). Secondly, this statement is geared toward people who either haven’t read or willfully ignore things like the 2005 lawsuit where Mike blatantly lies about Brian in a childish attempt to make a quick buck. Thirdly, you can hate Mike while not knowing or caring anything at all about Brian Wilson: anyone willing to lie about their own family member to make some cash is a sleaze...and it’s utterly mindblowing the depths people go to defend this shitty behavior.

I know about the lawsuit and the things Mike has done, but from what I've seen on social media and on various BB MBs, I do think there's truth in what Mike says. 

[KDS]

We know this isn't gonna happen, but:

Giving an interview where he sincerely publicly apologizes for many, many instances of sh*tty behavior, acknowledges acting in a super toxic way for decades, and having massive ego problems, and how he is trying to get help for these things... this would help his image in the eyes of a number of people. It wouldn't change everything overnight, but it would help. 

Gee, is this what we want from our ROCK STARS now? "I'm so sorry for my "toxic" behavior, but I'm taking sensitivity classes now, and I'll be donating the proceeds of my next tour to Brian Wilson's favorite charity". I don't want such whimpering from anyone. They're all millionaires, they're all grown men, they're all people who have lived long lives where not everything they did was incredibly nice. Brian Wilson included.

We don't know any of those guys personally, and the reason BW comes off better in interviews is because he answers in monosyllables so we don't know what he's like in real life. Mike Love, as the lead singer and main lyricist of the Beach Boys, has given me and all of us here 50 years of entertainment, and I'm going to stand in moral judgement of him?

I say: Long live Mike Love! Long live Brian Wilson! Long live the Beach Boys!

Thank you

[rab2591]

To hear him say it:

"For those who believe that Brian walks on water, I will always be the Antichrist." - According to Mike Love's Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy

I think he knows. And that ^^ is a pretty condescending way of putting it, too, which kinda reinforces the idea of him being viewed as the 'bad guy'. lol I personally like him but he doesn't make it easy sometimes.

What he says isn't untrue.  

But, I do think that "despised by millions" is an exaggeration.  

Isn’t untrue?

It’s a catchy quote meant to make headlines (which it did) but nothing more. Firstly, Brian walking on water? A lot of people think Brian Wilson is a genius and yet some of these people also seem to like Mike too (or at least haven’t publicly said a bad word about the guy). Here Mike lugs in everyone who thinks extremely highly of Brian Wilson...in Mike’s mind apparently you can’t think Brian is a genius/great man without also hating Mike...this is such a childish outlook - you honestly think the two have to go hand in hand?

KDS, have you read the 2005 lawsuit? The quote(s) in there about Brian sitting around doing nothing but taking drugs and collecting royalty checks is why people hate Mike - and you don’t need to think Brian is a genius (or walks on water) to see how those lies in Mike’s own lawsuit make Mike an asshole. That antichrist quote from Mike is indeed untrue, it’s absolutely silly - it’s a line from a guy who has absolutely no grasp on the affect of his own actions and statements over the years. Brian did nothing from 1967 onward but take drugs and collect royalty checks? The amount of sh*t you Mike apologists ignore to prop up your man is staggering. Mike himself co-wrote beautiful songs with Brian post ‘67 yet he lied about this in his lawsuit that was dismissed just FIVE years prior to the C50.

To recap, firstly there are people out there who think insanely highly of Brian who don’t give a sh*t about Mike either way (so Mike’s statement is untrue). Secondly, this statement is geared toward people who either haven’t read or willfully ignore things like the 2005 lawsuit where Mike blatantly lies about Brian in a childish attempt to make a quick buck. Thirdly, you can hate Mike while not knowing or caring anything at all about Brian Wilson: anyone willing to lie about their own family member to make some cash is a sleaze...and it’s utterly mindblowing the depths people go to defend this shitty behavior.

I know about the lawsuit and the things Mike has done, but from what I've seen on social media and on various BB MBs, I do think there's truth in what Mike says. 

It’s not true though. There are those who think incredibly highly of Brian’s talents and also like Mike - which contradicts his statement. Also, I highly recommend you read up on that 2005 lawsuit.

[KDS]

To hear him say it:

"For those who believe that Brian walks on water, I will always be the Antichrist." - According to Mike Love's Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy

I think he knows. And that ^^ is a pretty condescending way of putting it, too, which kinda reinforces the idea of him being viewed as the 'bad guy'. lol I personally like him but he doesn't make it easy sometimes.

What he says isn't untrue.  

But, I do think that "despised by millions" is an exaggeration.  

Isn’t untrue?

It’s a catchy quote meant to make headlines (which it did) but nothing more. Firstly, Brian walking on water? A lot of people think Brian Wilson is a genius and yet some of these people also seem to like Mike too (or at least haven’t publicly said a bad word about the guy). Here Mike lugs in everyone who thinks extremely highly of Brian Wilson...in Mike’s mind apparently you can’t think Brian is a genius/great man without also hating Mike...this is such a childish outlook - you honestly think the two have to go hand in hand?

KDS, have you read the 2005 lawsuit? The quote(s) in there about Brian sitting around doing nothing but taking drugs and collecting royalty checks is why people hate Mike - and you don’t need to think Brian is a genius (or walks on water) to see how those lies in Mike’s own lawsuit make Mike an asshole. That antichrist quote from Mike is indeed untrue, it’s absolutely silly - it’s a line from a guy who has absolutely no grasp on the affect of his own actions and statements over the years. Brian did nothing from 1967 onward but take drugs and collect royalty checks? The amount of sh*t you Mike apologists ignore to prop up your man is staggering. Mike himself co-wrote beautiful songs with Brian post ‘67 yet he lied about this in his lawsuit that was dismissed just FIVE years prior to the C50.

To recap, firstly there are people out there who think insanely highly of Brian who don’t give a sh*t about Mike either way (so Mike’s statement is untrue). Secondly, this statement is geared toward people who either haven’t read or willfully ignore things like the 2005 lawsuit where Mike blatantly lies about Brian in a childish attempt to make a quick buck. Thirdly, you can hate Mike while not knowing or caring anything at all about Brian Wilson: anyone willing to lie about their own family member to make some cash is a sleaze...and it’s utterly mindblowing the depths people go to defend this shitty behavior.

I know about the lawsuit and the things Mike has done, but from what I've seen on social media and on various BB MBs, I do think there's truth in what Mike says. 

It’s not true though. There are those who think incredibly highly of Brian’s talents and also like Mike - which contradicts his statement. Also, I highly recommend you read up on that 2005 lawsuit.

If you read Mike's book, he doesn't say all fans, but I do agree with his quote that in some fans' eyes, Brian walks on water, and Mike is the anti Christ. 

From strictly a musical standpoint, to some fans, Brian's music is immune to criticism, but not so much with Mike. 

I'm not telling you that you have to agree with it, but I do. 

[rab2591]

Yet in the quote posted he does lug together all hardcore Brian fans.