is there something wrong with Mike Love?

[johncatt]

Apart from the usual, I mean.

I just broke down and saw "The Beach Boys" live for the first time since 1986 (they were playing 15 minutes from my house and tix were $15). I thought I pretty much knew what to expect, but I was amazed by what occured: Mike didn't say a single word the whole night (Bruce played M.C), he didn't sing ANY lead vocals, and the very few vocal parts he attempted...well, he made Brian sound like Pavarotti. I mean his voice was gone. He was miming the lyrics the whole show, with all his vocals covered by one of the nameless, faceless back up guys.  This was totally different from Foskett doubling Brian's leads....Mike was essentially lip-syncing. I never though I'd come away from the concert wishing for more Mike Love banter, but I swear he was basically invisible.

Pardon my ignorance if this has been covered before, but I don't really follow the Mike and Bruce show and am not really up on them.

My question to anyone who's seen the show lately: is this standard operating procedure now, did he just have a bad day (laryngitis or some such), or is there something physically wrong with the guy?   

[Old Rake]

I saw him not a year ago, and he was in absolutely fine fettle -- babbling endlessly and in superb voice.

One can only assume he was struggling with laryngitis.

[Rocker]

Well, we all get older and so does our voice. Mike's voice is very thin nowadays. But I don't believe he lip-synchs everytime. He still has his many lead-singing songs

[SG7]

Maybe he finally did everyone a favor by saying nada 

[Jeff Mason]

This would indeed be news if what you saw is more than a one-shot deal.  I'm with Jon -- I bet he's sick.  You have to tie Mike down (or send him to learn to levitate) to get him to miss even one show.

[DJ M]

I was amazed by what occured: Mike didn't say a single word the whole night (Bruce played M.C), he didn't sing ANY lead vocals, and the very few vocal parts he attempted...well, he made Brian sound like Pavarotti. I mean his voice was gone. He was miming the lyrics the whole show, with all his vocals covered by one of the nameless, faceless back up guys.  This was totally different from Foskett doubling Brian's leads....Mike was essentially lip-syncing. I never though I'd come away from the concert wishing for more Mike Love banter, but I swear he was basically invisible.

Wow; sounds like a dream come true.  Sorry I missed it.

[Aegir]

I saw the band Friday morning and he was singing and talking fine.

[XY]

maybe he finally heard Brian's SMILE for the first time before the show.

[JRauch]

... and laughed so loud that he lost his voice:

  "HAHAHAH!!! How uncommercial!! I WAS RIGHT ALL THE YEARS!!!"

[Charles LePage @ ComicList]

Per PSML "Yes. He's been fighting bronchitis since Friday night and has had  serious problems with singing.  He has been very sick and I'm surprised he  was able to make the show."