LA Times write up on Mike

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

http://www.latimes.com/books/la-ca-jc-my-life-as-a-beach-boy-review-20160823-snap-story.html

[Lee Marshall]

As always...what a dick!!!  "For those who BELIEVE Brian Wilson walks on water"   Anti-Christ???

Stupid, uneducated moron and idiot?  Yes.  Anti-Christ?  Mike-Eddy ... give your head a gigantic shake.

What next?  A lawsuit to get royalties for your contributions to the creation of a more recent edition of the 'holly bibble'?

You're NOT ever perceived as being 'el diablo'.  You ARE, though, recognized for being entirely and both continuously and consistantly  S T U P I D .  There is a difference.  Exercise your brain Mike Eddy.  It has fallen FAR behind in terms of the rest of the class.  [name the year/any year]

[rab2591]

“For those who believe that Brian walks on water, I will always be the Antichrist.”

This is a really cute quote, but this nonsense about people needing a villain has got to get debunked. There doesn't need to be an antichrist in this story. How many of us like The Doors? Those of us who love Jim Morrison aren't psychotically looking for a villain in Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, or Robby Krueger. We just enjoy the music and we're also enraptured by the story of the band. No one in that band went out of their way to be a colossal prick, so no fan really has an excuse to dislike any of the members...even if some of us think that Jim Morrison walked on water.

Just saying, the mantra about how fans need a villain is total bullshit. You know how many of us want a TWGTRR part II? We'd love another reunion tour. I'd honestly love to see Mike and Brian write a song together again. I couldn't care less about supposedly needing a villain in this band. I think we ALL feel this way excluding probably one or two people.

[The_Beach]

Nice article thanks for sharing!

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Those of us who love Jim Morrison aren't psychotically looking for a villain in Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, or Robby Krueger

John Densmore eats kittens...should be John Meowsmore, amirite?




Okay, that was funnier in my head than it ended up being.

Nice article thanks for sharing!

np!

[rab2591]

Those of us who love Jim Morrison aren't psychotically looking for a villain in Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, or Robby Krueger

John Densmore eats kittens...should be John Meowsmore, amirite?




Okay, that was funnier in my head than it ended up being.

Does he really? I'm not feline too good about that....

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

[Lee Marshall]

Well to be fair...John hasn't been a Jim 'fan' for quite some time.  But if you have an affinity for over-the-top-PISStanks...Jim was a true hero.  [Thought he was the cat's ass he did.]  Oh well.
Olde Ray?  He cashed in his chips.  And he did so with seemingly more distinction than the afore mentioned pissed-off poet.

Wait!?!?!  "pissed off poet'?  Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.  Mike-Eddy?  Are YOU pissed off?  Who'd have guessed?

Are you an equal to the likes of Jim Morrison?

No.

THAT must piss you off even more.

It should...given your over-exercised ego.

Hang on to it.

[The LEGENDARY OSD]

“For those who believe that Brian walks on water, I will always be the Antichrist.”

This is a really cute quote, but this nonsense about people needing a villain has got to get debunked. There doesn't need to be an antichrist in this story. How many of us like The Doors? Those of us who love Jim Morrison aren't psychotically looking for a villain in Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, or Robby Krueger. We just enjoy the music and we're also enraptured by the story of the band. No one in that band went out of their way to be a colossal prick, so no fan really has an excuse to dislike any of the members...even if some of us think that Jim Morrison walked on water.

Just saying, the mantra about how fans need a villain is total bullshit. You know how many of us want a TWGTRR part II? We'd love another reunion tour. I'd honestly love to see Mike and Brian write a song together again. I couldn't care less about supposedly needing a villain in this band. I think we ALL feel this way excluding probably one or two people.

It's "Mike the Martyr", or the "Prince of Persecution" sales promo aimed at creating himself as a victim. Anyone who buys that sorry line deserves to be imprisoned in a vacuum with "Summer Of LuhV" on a tape loop.

[Debbie KL]

Just like the "handlers," I'm still waiting to meet the people who think Brian "walks on water," or who think that Mike is the "anti-Christ," but I guess that's his major talking point here - a bit grandiose, don't you think?

It certainly wouldn't apply to anyone who actually knows Brian or Mike.

 Brian's a very "real" guy.  People who love and live with him, or represent him professionally or are his close friends, would laugh at that ridiculous idea.  Because in the midst of some of the most challenging moments in dealing with the mythic figure that Brian is - at the same time that he's just a guy - he manages to make a person laugh when they might otherwise say, "I can't do this anymore, and I certainly don't want to deal with the a**holes who are part of your business life."

I guess Mike sold it to the LA Times, at least somewhat.

I'm still waiting for something new to read, and I really would like to see something that would give me new insights.  I'm serious here.

[Empire Of Love]

Is this true about Dennis:

"He weaves those names into a story that is largely hellbent on dispelling the “Brian was the genius and the rest of the guys just showed up to sing” narrative.  It was a story arc that also bothered other members of the group, including Wilson’s brothers Carl and Dennis, as they slogged it out on the road while chief architect Brian painstakingly fitted many of the pieces together in the studio."

Given Dennis' "we are his messengers" quote this seems somewhat unlikely.  Did Dennis complain about this perception?  It is also strange that he doesn't list the one guy living who could rebut *his* narrative, Al.  It is hard to argue that Mike is not the least musically talented guy in the band - given this is what most people respect, as opposed to being a corny frontman, it has to burn.  I get it.  But the man really should be more thankful.

EoL

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Just like the "handlers," I'm still waiting to meet the people who think Brian "walks on water," or who think that Mike is the "anti-Christ," but I guess that's his major talking point here - a bit grandiose, don't you think?

It certainly wouldn't apply to anyone who actually knows Brian or Mike.

 Brian's a very "real" guy.  People who love and live with him, or represent him professionally or are his close friends, would laugh at that ridiculous idea.  Because in the midst of some of the most challenging moments in dealing with the mythic figure that Brian is - at the same time that he's just a guy - he manages to make a person laugh when they might otherwise say, "I can't do this anymore, and I certainly don't want to deal with the a**holes who are part of your business life."

I guess Mike sold it to the LA Times, at least somewhat.

I'm still waiting for something new to read, and I really would like to see something that would give me new insights.  I'm serious here.

Brian may not walk on water, but he can sure doggypaddle with the best of them!

Thing is, there really *isn't* anything new from Mike...he's predictable as predictable can be. The only thing I can honestly say that surprised me was him admitting his failures as a father and a husband....thought he'd find a way to blame Brian for that too.

[tpesky]

I don't have the full book obviously...but it seems that Mike is basically saying it was him and the Wilsons involved in everything, not mentioning Al in many cases like the one cited above. Coincidence? His opinion is that Al never mattered? He is careful to not enflame tension with Al over the book?(Lawsuit potential)

[Lee Marshall]

Now let's see...If I was releasing a book to the shelves of the worlds' bookstores and I had dreams of the aforementioned book then moving on to the bed-side tables of millions, upon millions, of people...how would I want *my* 'offering' to TRULY be regarded?

1.  * "charming and powerfully written memoir that will engage a readership beyond the multitude of Beach Boys fans" - Publishers Weekly

2.  "Summer Fun Soured By Mike Love's Score Settling" - The New York Times

OR

3.  "To the people who believe that Brian rules and Mike drools, what Love writes will not matter one iota."  L.A. Times

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  THAT'S a tough call.

[Quincy]

http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/good-vibrations-beach-boy-mike-love-unloads-in-a-contentious-memoir/

[Bill30022]

http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/good-vibrations-beach-boy-mike-love-unloads-in-a-contentious-memoir/

Maybe a little nit picky, but wasn't Carl the leader in Brian's absence? Mike really did not become the leader on the road until the late '70s at the earliest.

[CenturyDeprived]

http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/good-vibrations-beach-boy-mike-love-unloads-in-a-contentious-memoir/

Maybe a little nit picky, but wasn't Carl the leader in Brian's absence? Mike really did not become the leader on the road until the late '70s at the earliest.

Plus they have a lot of nerve at calling the post Pet Sounds output "mediocre". SIP reaches levels far lower than that 

[Quincy]

This one paragraph rings true..

"In his just-released autobiography, Love sets out to settle more than a few scores. Perhaps it’s a hazard of the genre, but the entire effort is more than a little self-serving. Love is alternately defensive, angry, self-pitying and proud. It’s dizzying just trying to keep his grudges straight."

[Amy B.]

“For those who believe that Brian walks on water, I will always be the Antichrist.”

This is a really cute quote, but this nonsense about people needing a villain has got to get debunked.

Agreed. There doesn't need to be a villain. Take the Beatles. Some people have sanctified John Lennon. Paul McCartney (or Ringo) could easily go to the press and point out repeatedly that John beat his first wife, neglected his older son, etc. But whether it's because they know that to do so would paint them as villains (they're smarter than Mike) or because they just don't have it in them to do that, they don't point out John's faults. For the most part, they accept that John has been martyred. There may be some resentment there, but publicly, they acknowledge what John means to the public and what John contributed to the band.

And personally, I don't think Brian walks on water. I think he's incredibly talented and am grateful that he created something of beauty for me to enjoy. I admire his strength and empathize with his struggles. But I don't think he's flaw-free. I'm a fan. But being a fan of Brian's doesn't necessitate NOT being a fan of Mike. It's Mike himself, and his behavior, that makes me not a fan of his.

[Debbie KL]

“For those who believe that Brian walks on water, I will always be the Antichrist.”

This is a really cute quote, but this nonsense about people needing a villain has got to get debunked.

Agreed. There doesn't need to be a villain. Take the Beatles. Some people have sanctified John Lennon. Paul McCartney (or Ringo) could easily go to the press and point out repeatedly that John beat his first wife, neglected his older son, etc. But whether it's because they know that to do so would paint them as villains (they're smarter than Mike) or because they just don't have it in them to do that, they don't point out John's faults. For the most part, they accept that John has been martyred. There may be some resentment there, but publicly, they acknowledge what John means to the public and what John contributed to the band.

And personally, I don't think Brian walks on water. I think he's incredibly talented and am grateful that he created something of beauty for me to enjoy. I admire his strength and empathize with his struggles. But I don't think he's flaw-free. I'm a fan. But being a fan of Brian's doesn't necessitate NOT being a fan of Mike. It's Mike himself, and his behavior, that makes me not a fan of his.

Well said. Amy.  It's this black & white crap that is so annoying.  The assumption that people who love Brian and his music are somehow elevating him to some ethereal plane is simply stupid.  That the need to vilify Mike follows is equally stupid and simplistic.  It works well for some in politics, and I think that's where the game-plan comes from for those accusations against "Brianistas."

Quincy - you made a point of something pretty interesting from this review - a few vociferous people will forever feel a "call to action" to support Mike's grudges, and others of us are openly exhausted by the repetitive qualities of it all, and the increasing volume and claims.  However, most people apparently just find it mind-numbing - WTF? sort of stuff.  Grandpa's a complaining pain in the a** would be an obvious reaction to most who don't post to BB fan MBs. "Put him out on the deck and let him rant, so that we can enjoy ourselves."

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/good-vibrations-beach-boy-mike-love-unloads-in-a-contentious-memoir/

Maybe a little nit picky, but wasn't Carl the leader in Brian's absence? Mike really did not become the leader on the road until the late '70s at the earliest.

Plus they have a lot of nerve at calling the post Pet Sounds output "mediocre". SIP reaches levels far lower than that 

Yeah I disagreed with that...IMHO that was their best work!

[Don Malcolm]

Let's be blunt for a minute, shall we? If Carl were still alive, Mike would not be able to get away with many/most of the claims he is making. Mike knows that Brian just doesn't want to engage on any of this, so he can just "go for it."

Most people in the world are going to look at Mike Love's life and say "wow, you had a 99th percentile existence." They are not going to see him as someone who's been victimized, regardless of whatever actual "pain and suffering" he's experienced (mostly as a result of not being as musically gifted as his cousins).

Mike has had a plethora of opportunities to take a look at the silver spoon that life handed him, and simply put it into his mouth and stop talking. He has chosen to spurn that opportunity at virtually every point in time that it has been presented to him.

[Debbie KL]

Let's be blunt for a minute, shall we? If Carl were still alive, Mike would not be able to get away with many/most of the claims he is making. Mike knows that Brian just doesn't want to engage on any of this, so he can just "go for it."

Most people in the world are going to look at Mike Love's life and say "wow, you had a 99th percentile existence." They are not going to see him as someone who's been victimized, regardless of whatever actual "pain and suffering" he's experienced (mostly as a result of not being as musically gifted as his cousins).

Mike has had a plethora of opportunities to take a look at the silver spoon that life handed him, and simply put it into his mouth and stop talking. He has chosen to spurn that opportunity at virtually every point in time that it has been presented to him.

That's probably sadder for him than any of us.  Most of us know that we created our lives - getting lucky sometimes, etc.  I'm not certain he ever got the "getting lucky" part, although that should be his middle name.  We get to be pretty satisfied in life.  In his case, I'm not seeing that.  I wish him that moment before he leaves this plane to whatever meditative state he will achieve elsewhere.  That sounded sarcastic, but I'm pretty serious here.

[HeyJude]

One of my main difficulties in digesting Mike's words and feelings is that I've rarely if ever seen someone with such good fortune, who has seemingly just about everything going his way, seem to act so disenfranchised and put-out in life. Even when he wins lawsuits (the songwriting issue for instance), he still complains about it as if nothing can be done, even though everything has been done and the wrongs have been righted.

The guy is 75 years old, has more money than most anyone would ever see, a huge loving family, gets to do what he tells us he loves to do, has the million other things that go along with fame and fortune, posts HUNDREDS of photo album photos on his Facebook page of his fifty-foot Christmas tree inside his huge mansion, yet he's the a-hole at the party who has to tell everything that he's alive and healthy because Carl and Dennis did drugs and he didn't. We all know *that* guy in one way or another in some form.

Folks with far less somehow manage to be far more humble and less disenfranchised. Al Jardine has far more in terms of money and lawsuits to be disgruntled about, but you don't see him frothing at the mouth in every interview.

Mike can be humble and giving and all of those things when he wants to, on *his* terms. He's like the boss who will reject your idea if you come up with it. But if you make him think it was *his* idea, then he loves it.