things you like about Mike Love

[Sir Rob]

What I don't like about Mike Love would be a much shorter list.  I love the man and everything he stands for.

And what, in your opinion, does he stand for? 

Man I knew you were gonna stink up this thread.

No, you're doing that.  I asked the question in good faith as I'm genuinely curious for the answer.

[Jason]

No, you're doing that.

No, because you jump at every opportunity to bash the man. If I was stinking up a Mike Love appreciation thread, I would've made an appropriate comment to do such. As it stands, you're asking what he stands for. If you need that information, you're reading the right thread. Of course....you shouldn't need this thread to ascertain that.

[Sir Rob]

No, you're doing that.

No, because you jump at every opportunity to bash the man. If I was stinking up a Mike Love appreciation thread, I would've made an appropriate comment to do such. As it stands, you're asking what he stands for. If you need that information, you're reading the right thread. Of course....you shouldn't need this thread to ascertain that.

So what if I have a low opinion of Mike Love and his latest legal action?  I'm hardly alone in that.  I was not consciously seeking to ruin this thread.  I gave my straightforward opinion about Mike Love's contribution to the Beach Boys a couple of posts earlier in this thread.  As you will see I was not out to bash him there.  I am not one of those who believes everything Mike Love has ever done should be denigrated.  You can believe what you like but I think the poster's original statement begged the question and I was curious for an answer to it.  I'm shocked really to have my sincerity attacked in this manner.

[Jason]

I'm not trying to attack anyone's sincerity, but if you feel bullied in that way, then I offer my humblest of apologies.

[Sir Rob]

I'm not trying to attack anyone's sincerity, but if you feel bullied in that way, then I offer my humblest of apologies.

Peace Jason and thanks.  Please, you don't have to be humble about it.   

[Jardine Power!]

I like his white robe from the early 70's. Far out.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I think Mike Love had very little to do with Pet Sounds, and he STILL doesn't "get" SMiLE, but...

I think the Beach Boys' music from 1961-1965 would sound drastically different if not for the influence of Mike Love. And not just because of his lyrics or excellent vocal work.

Mike instilled that positivity, that aggressiveness, that extroverted personality which Brian lacked. It's not so much the specific subject matter (cars, girls, surf ), but as Carl put it so well - the simple joy of living. Mike was LIVING IT (as was Dennis), and had his finger on the pulse of that lifestyle. Yes, Brian was a good observer, but Mike could put those ideas to paper. Mike wanted to rock! I think Brian would've definitely written much more ballads and less rock and roll if not for Mike. And a large portion of the Beach Boys' early greatest hits are comprised of rock and roll.

And this is not to diminish Brian in any way. You never would've heard of Mike Love without Brian Wilson. It's just that Mike was able to mesh so well with Brian's music, probably kept firing ideas at him, and maybe, at times, actually motivated him. Mike kept pushing.

It's a shame what happened to their relationship...

[Jonas]

hmmm, vocal performance wise...

I Get Around
Funky Pretty
Never Learn Not to Love

a few reasons why he's not a total loss

[Stegibo]

I like the fact that he is still touring and singing wonderful songs!

[Andrew G. Doe]

Killer Mike vocals:

Surfin' USA
Fun, Fun, Fun
I Get Around
Kiss Me, Baby
Merry Christmas, Baby
When I Grow Up...
Amusement Parks USA
California Girls
That's Not Me
Here Today
Let The Wind Blow
Meant For You
All I Want To Do
All I Wanna Do
All This Is That
California Saga: California
It's OK
Blueberry Hill

[Wrightfan]

He IS the Summer lyricist...and he's not afraid to wear whatever he wants 

[Andrew G. Doe]

The jewelled turban, the lame waistcoat... dude's a legend.

[Reggie Dunbar]

His humility, generosity and non-confrontational nature. Only a lifetime dedicated to TM
can help you peacefully coexist, levitate, and eventually reach nirvana.

[kirkmc- banned on the run]

What I like best about Mike is that he makes EVERYONE around him look and sound great!

[oldsurferdude]

Used to think he was ok about 45 years ago before had him figured out.

[oldsurferdude]

The jewelled turban, the lame waistcoat... dude's a legend.

Only a legend in your own mind and certainly in his, uh, mind. Outside of this and a few other message boards along with the die hards, he's an unknown commodity. 

[Fun Is In]

His longevity....many of his pre-1975 vocals....his yin to Brian's yang...his willingness to fulfill the the matrimonial wishes of myriad women....

[Don_Zabu]

[Mahalo]

I like Mike's insistence that he is Mr. Positivity. 

[Don_Zabu]

This.

[Sound of Free]

I think Mike was the first person to believe Brian Wilson could be a great songwriter. Even before Brian. Didn't Brian say he didn't know if he could write songs as good as what was on the radio and Mike said something like, "The stuff you write fooling around is better than most of the stuff on the radio."

Even in the "Wouldn't It Be Nice" book, where Brian/Landy rip Mike in many places, Brian said he would always be grateful for Mike for encouraging him to write songs.

Even if Mike hadn't done a lot of great singing and written some fine lyrics – which he did – this would be his most important contribution. Brian always needed someone to believe in him, and Mike did.

[kirkmc- banned on the run]

Oh yeah-I also Love that he won't be arounnd much longer...

[adamghost]

Great thread idea.

My single favorite Mike Love moment was when he pulled Murry out of the car and beat him up in '62.  For all my Mike criticism over the years, he gets, like, 1,000 points credit for that.

Other things I can think of...
His gracious behavior to David Marks over the years (until recently I guess, but I don't know about that)
Bass singing...simply outstanding
Lyrical contributions up to '65.  Actually the band couldn't have done it without him pre-'65, no question.
His devotion to TM, up to and not including the point he writes songs about it.
Work ethic.
"Rockin' The Man In The Boat".  Seriously.  I think that song is funny, as is his vocal on "On and On and On."
Um...

Well, that's enoguh, right?

[Andrew G. Doe]

This.

Sorry, too busy watching the fat guy rape the bass.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Aside from the lawsuits and some awful behavior that's been reported over the years, I like pretty much everything about Mike Love, as far as what he's brought to The Beach Boys. I think he's as valuable a member as Brian!

Not all of us who have him "figured out" hate the guy. It goes both ways.