The Smiley Smile Message Board

Wow!! I am humbled beyond measure...In the 52 years of my Beach Boys career, there have been many, many highlights, but for me receiving the Ella Award was a personal blessing. I am so grateful to so many people that made the evening possible and exceptional. First to SOS for all that they have done and continue to do for singers who find themselves in challenging situations. Thank you to The Mancini family for realizing the need for SOS and continuing this amazing legacy of service. Events such as The Ella's require a team of creative, dynamic, organized and moderately crazy folks to put together and without John Koch of ID PR, Eric Breslow, Eric Vetro, Scott Totten, John Stamos, and my wife, Jacquelyne, last night wouldn't have happened. I am deeply appreciative! There were so many incredible moments to speak of, but what stood out the most to me was the expressions on the faces of the attendees, the Honorees and the multitude of talented people who all contributed to this spectacular night. PURE JOY!!!!! Having Alan Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston on stage with me was incredibly emotional and divine deja vu. I only wished that Brian had been there. Collectively, we have shared an incredible story of family and music! I had a moment...a moment that nearly took my breath away, during the video tribute when I took a look at my table and realized I was surrounded by my children Melinda, Teresa, Summer, Ambha, Brian, Christian, Mike Jr., and my sister Maureen Love. I was nearly in tears, my proudest achievement - my children!

Speaking of pride and children, having Cal Saga, Carnie, Wendy, Carl B, Justyn, Matt, Christian, and Ambha in the house performing “Anna Lee The Healer” followed by my daughter Ambha taking the lead on “Darlin'” - a song I sang to her at bedtime, was unforgettable! Although Carl and Dennis are no longer with us, their legacy continues and I am certain that they would be quite proud of their children just as I am. As a lyricist, I struggle with finding the right words to say thank you to all the many great talents who shared their gift with us last night. I am overwhelmed with your generosity, kindness and love. Thank you, Bill Medley, Rita Wilson, Lucy Lawless, Gerry and Dewey of America, Mickey Dolenz, Dave Koz, Peter Noone, and the Waters Family for “Unleashing the Love” with me for the first time live. David Lee Roth certainly traveled the farthest to be here from Tokyo! Man we rocked out!!!!! The backbone of the music last night was my band whom I consider to be my family. The Beach Boys band kept the beat going strong, Tim Bonhomme, Randall Kirsch, Christian Love, John Cowsill and our over the top brilliant musical director Scott Totten! Thanks gentlemen for being a big part of my musical career and my life. We also had a very special band member on stage with us last night, Mr. Jeffrey Foskett, who shared his great gift of voice and musicianship with us. I am most grateful to Jeff for having taken such wonderful care of my cousin Brian for so many years...you are truly remarkable and kind. Our crew worked their tushes off! Their attention to detail and technical savvy was not unnoticed. Thank you John Bracken, Barry Floyd, Mike Peters, Mark Newman, Rick Huber, Mike Swift and Mike Czazewicz - you guys are the best in the business! Thank you Jan Marie, Evelyn and Joaquin for handling all the logistics of travel and accommodations. A special shout out if I may to Bill O'Reilly, Tom Hanks, Diane Warren, Toni Basil and everyone who attended...again there are no words to express how magical it was to share this priceless evening of song and celebration with everyone! I wish I could include the names of all the faces from last night...just know how much I love you all. Thank you to all our fans who continue to keep the music alive, without your love, support and great taste in music, we could not be who and where we are today. Words cannot express how honored I am to be the recipient of the 21st Ella Award...I am truly and, more than you know, humbled!

With gratitude,

Mike Love

P.S. I will share photos and videos from last night's event in follow up post, I wish all the fans could have been there:)

Righteous Brother Bill Medley, Jeff Foskett and The Beach Boys: “Lovin’ Feelin’”
America and The Beach Boys: “Surfin USA”
Micky Dolenz and The Beach Boys: “Wild Honey”
Dean Torrence, David Marks and The Beach Boys: “Little Deuce Coupe”
David Marks and The Beach Boys: “409”
California Saga: “Anna Lee” and “Darlin”
Rita Wilson and The Beach Boys: “Warmth of the Sun”
Christopher Cross and Bruce Johnston: “All This is That”
Lucy Lawless and Mike Love: “Wouldn’t it be Nice”
Mike Love and The Waters Family: “Unleash the Love”
Al Jardine and The Beach Boys: “Help Me Rhonda”
The Beach Boys featuring Peter Noone of the Hermits Hermits: “Good Vibrations”
The Beach Boys featuring Dave Koz: “Kokomo”
David Lee Roth and Mike Love: “California Girls”
All of the Evenings Performers join Mike Love and The Beach Boys for: “Fun, Fun, Fun”

Great to see Al, Dave, and Mike together again! Time heals many wounds

Here's great quality video of Mike doing "California Girls" with David Lee Roth. Plus watch Foskett and Stamos jam!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYP447lKlDE

Man is this great! Seems like a great time was had by everybody. Roth is great and Cowsill is the best drummer any BB band incarnation could hope for. He channels Denny's animal style, is always reliable and consistent, pounds in such a way as to leave room for the vocals, sings great and has compelling stage presence.

David Lee Roth never grew up, his antics are tiresome.

Yeah...

For anyone who has not seen it, here is David Lee Roth's cover of California Girls.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmbhfI8f_Ek

Pretty not great.

Don't forget Carl's on that.

Yes, and don't forget that the Roth video was huge when it came out. That video was played on MTV constantly, which was still relevant, and the single almost went to No. 1.

I'm not saying Roth's cover was crucial, but it did have a significant positive impact for the Beach Boys. They were slowing coming off the shock of Dennis' death, with the 1984 D.C. Beach Party being the first step. But Roth's "California Girls" started 1985 out strong, followed by "Getcha Back" and Live Aid. 1985 was good year. I was expecting big things , with Brian looking great and everything, but it was yet another false start. It would be another three years until things got interesting again, with the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, BW 1988, and "Kokomo".

Back when Mike Love did his solo tour in 1981, he had a band called the Pranks backing him. Jeff Foskett and Randell Kirsch were both members of the Pranks. So Mike was instrumental (pun intended) in bringing Jeff into the BB sphere. That could well be one of the reasons Jeff was there.

I read that Mike discovered Jeff when he was playing at a bar in Santa Barbara, and ended up hiring him. 

Honestly, it would probably be accurate to say that Brian has the most "fanboy" based band in rock 'n roll, what with Jeff and Darian, et al. And that's not a put-down at all, because I'm a fan boy, and if I could work with Brian I would too!

Brian already knew Jeff since 1976.  Fanboy Jeff met Brian at Brian's house in Bel-Aire in 1976.

Brian already knew Jeff since 1976.  Fanboy Jeff met Brian at Brian's house in Bel-Aire in 1976.

 Could somebody share in detail the story of how Jeff met Brian back in 75' or 76'?

As far as I recall Jeff knew where Brian lived and one day showed up uninvited - Brian opened the door (or at least he was at home) and they talked and got to know each other. I don't remember any details as of this moment. :-\

Wasn't Brian's house behind a wall, with a gate that required speaking through an intercom to get into the gate? He would have had to have a general idea of where the house was and peered over a wall to see any windows. I guess Brian and Marilyn didn't mind the occasional stalker, as long as they seemed friendly.

 Could somebody share in detail the story of how Jeff met Brian back in 75' or 76'?

Mickey Dolenz - "Wild Honey"
http://youtu.be/2JQMstHVQbc (http://youtu.be/2JQMstHVQbc)

Bill Medley and Jeff Foskett - "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling"
http://youtu.be/xIngV1-qYfw (http://youtu.be/xIngV1-qYfw)

You're right Rich, that was very disingenuous of me; humble apologies to Scott andthe ofher hard-working guys who e turned the M&B Beach Boys into a live treat. I think I'd've enjoyed his performance of Wild Honey more though if the Waters Family had added more clout to the backing vocals for Wild Honey and got a real R&B thang cookin'.

Um, that would be Mr. Scott Totten, occasional poster on this very message board.

Thought it was a little 'by the numbers' rawk guitar solo. Would've been a nice change of pace to feature a keyboard lead - faithful to the original, but still fresh in this day and age. But so it goes.

Cover band musicians are not usually known for a unique personal style.

Oh well. I thought it sucked. can't like em all now....

Yes, really great and great news. Congrats to Mike!

Sure seems like Brian should have found a way to be there.

After watching the videos to be honest it was hard to watch.

For the most part the members of the band sounded great. Al's vocals were a little weak but I think it may have had to do with the live mixing because overall the whole band sounded jut sort of low in the mix and quiet.

The guest vocalists were just not good. Roth was painful and Dean Torrence was not much better. But it was at least fun to see him up there singing.

Mike sounded great and John Stamos has still not aged a day since 1992.

I think the guitar solo was ok. Dolenz seemed to have found his way with the song AFTER said solo. I guess we've been spoiled by Carl, Bçondie and Cowsill.

For the most part the members of the band sounded great. Al's vocals were a little weak but I think it may have had to do with the live mixing

Where did you see/hear Al?

Mikes speech.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00JgyeGXaIg

Bruce left out of thank yous or does he just merit a "band" thank you?

After Mike was done Bruce stepped to  the microphone and said "I just want to thank Mike Love for not mentioning my name"

At least he didn't say Brian was chickensh!t for not turning up. ;D

The guest vocalists were just not good. Roth was painful and Dean Torrence was not much better.

Cover band musicians are not usually known for a unique personal style.

California Saga medley:  http://youtu.be/8Owde0j02Jc (http://youtu.be/8Owde0j02Jc)

Highlights: http://youtu.be/NkGorCW80TQ (http://youtu.be/NkGorCW80TQ)

Fun Fun Fun (with everybody): http://youtu.be/CBtayphDhPM (http://youtu.be/CBtayphDhPM)

Dean couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, back in 1962 or now.

Enjoyed seeing the Cal Saga video, as a group I think they sound wonderful, though I have to say Ambha Love did sound particularly good on the lead for Darlin. Nice touch since it was Mike's event, but she sounded really off key to my ears. Though she's very young, and she does have a lot of potential. I wish Cal Saga would tour somewhere; I would love to see them perform.

it was actually quite a touching speech from Dr Love...

maybe he does have a cool head and a warm heart...

Rb

I agree, her lead on Darlin' was far from perfect.   I can think of at least 6 people on that stage that would have sang it better, but I guess that was not the main point anyway.  I remember hearing her singing SOS and actually that one was quite ok.

Agreed: but then again, maybe it was smart for him to not show up.... Mike was getting an award and if Brian had been there it would have been all about him.