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Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy
The New York Times Bestseller
Mike Love tells the story of his legendary, raucous, and ultimately triumphant five-decade career as the front man of The Beach Boys, the most popular American band in history -- timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of "Good Vibrations."
As a founding member of The Beach Boys, Mike Love has spent an extraordinary fifty-five years, and counting, as the group's lead singer and one of its principal lyricists. The Beach Boys, from their California roots to their international fame, are a unique American story -- one of overnight success and age-defying longevity; of musical genius and reckless self-destruction; of spirituality, betrayal, and forgiveness -- and Love is the only band member to be part of it each and every step. His own story has never been fully told, of how a sheet-metal apprentice became the quintessential front man for America's most successful rock band, singing in more than 5,600 concerts in 26 countries.
Love describes the stories behind his lyrics for pop classics such as "Good Vibrations," "California Girls," "Surfin' USA," and "Kokomo," while providing vivid portraits of the turbulent lives of his three gifted cousins, Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson. His partnership with Brian has few equals in American pop music, though Mike has carved out a legacy of his own -- he co-wrote the lyrics to eleven of the twelve original Beach Boy songs that were top 10 hits while providing the lead vocals on ten of them. The band's unprecedented durability also provides a glimpse into America's changing cultural mores over the past half century, while Love himself has experienced both the diabolical and the divine -- from Charles Manson's "family" threatening his life to Maharishi instilling it with peace. A husband, a father, and an avid environmentalist, Love has written a book that is as rich and layered as the Beach Boy harmonies themselves.
Mike Love tells the story of his legendary, raucous, and ultimately triumphant five-decade career as the front man of The Beach Boys, the most popular American band in history -- timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of "Good Vibrations."
As a founding member of The Beach Boys, Mike Love has spent an extraordinary fifty-five years, and counting, as the group's lead singer and one of its principal lyricists. The Beach Boys, from their California roots to their international fame, are a unique American story -- one of overnight success and age-defying longevity; of musical genius and reckless self-destruction; of spirituality, betrayal, and forgiveness -- and Love is the only band member to be part of it each and every step. His own story has never been fully told, of how a sheet-metal apprentice became the quintessential front man for America's most successful rock band, singing in more than 5,600 concerts in 26 countries.
Love describes the stories behind his lyrics for pop classics such as "Good Vibrations," "California Girls," "Surfin' USA," and "Kokomo," while providing vivid portraits of the turbulent lives of his three gifted cousins, Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson. His partnership with Brian has few equals in American pop music, though Mike has carved out a legacy of his own -- he co-wrote the lyrics to eleven of the twelve original Beach Boy songs that were top 10 hits while providing the lead vocals on ten of them. The band's unprecedented durability also provides a glimpse into America's changing cultural mores over the past half century, while Love himself has experienced both the diabolical and the divine -- from Charles Manson's "family" threatening his life to Maharishi instilling it with peace. A husband, a father, and an avid environmentalist, Love has written a book that is as rich and layered as the Beach Boy harmonies themselves.
436 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2016
226 people are currently reading
896 people want to read
About the author
Mike Love
16 books7 followersMike Love is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and a member and co-founder of the Beach Boys.
Love has nine children and has been married to Jacqueline Piesen since 1994.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Love has nine children and has been married to Jacqueline Piesen since 1994.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 250 reviews
June 2, 2017
Brian Wilson was one of nine brothers but his father Murray was extremely abusive and so by the time he was a teenager there were only two others left, Dennis and Carl. For self defense reasons they therefore formed a group and because he could handle a baseball bat and was skilled at taekwondo they asked cousin Mike Love to join. While waiting for the next attack from Murray they would while away the long hours harmonizing old Four Freshman numbers. Eventually Mike and Brian began to make up songs, which of course were all about their own concerns. One early song went
If everybody had a shotgun across the USA
There’d be no more creeps like Murray in Californi-ay
From their self-contained Hawthorne compound the Wilson/Love group would make midnight forays for food and ammo, and they would also make contact with other survivor groups such as the one run by Charles Manson in nearby Redondo Beach. There was some talk of merging the two groups but Manson insisted he should play lead guitar and he only knew two chords. In this he was 15 years ahead of his time.
One day the news reached the Wilson/Love compound that Murray Wilson was dead. So at last the boys were free to roam during the day. They could look at girls and buy sunglasses. They discovered that singing in perfect four part harmony was a good way to get more sunglasses. All they needed now was a record contract. As the Wilsons and Mike Love were all tall and handsome they decided to recruit Al Jardine, who was their window cleaner at the time, so that future audiences would have a point of comparison on stage.
Mike Love was the first to realise that pop songs had up til then completely ignored a major Californian teenage obsession, so he began to write songs about the current craze of abseiling. Soon his nasal tones could be heard from every transistor radio :
Abseil is the only way, the only way for me
now ab
Ab
Come on and abseil bah dip didit abseil bah dip didit
If everybody had a shotgun across the USA
There’d be no more creeps like Murray in Californi-ay
From their self-contained Hawthorne compound the Wilson/Love group would make midnight forays for food and ammo, and they would also make contact with other survivor groups such as the one run by Charles Manson in nearby Redondo Beach. There was some talk of merging the two groups but Manson insisted he should play lead guitar and he only knew two chords. In this he was 15 years ahead of his time.
One day the news reached the Wilson/Love compound that Murray Wilson was dead. So at last the boys were free to roam during the day. They could look at girls and buy sunglasses. They discovered that singing in perfect four part harmony was a good way to get more sunglasses. All they needed now was a record contract. As the Wilsons and Mike Love were all tall and handsome they decided to recruit Al Jardine, who was their window cleaner at the time, so that future audiences would have a point of comparison on stage.
Mike Love was the first to realise that pop songs had up til then completely ignored a major Californian teenage obsession, so he began to write songs about the current craze of abseiling. Soon his nasal tones could be heard from every transistor radio :
Abseil is the only way, the only way for me
now ab
Ab
Come on and abseil bah dip didit abseil bah dip didit
December 13, 2017
Mike Love -- arrogant, crass, mercenary lead singer of the legendary Beach Boys.
Mike Love -- the rock and roll Judas who betrayed his Christ-like cousin Brian Wilson for twenty top ten hits three number ones and thirty pieces of silver.
Mike Love -- the notorious womanizer, the unrepentant ham, the shallow and insistently annoying pitch man for America's band.
Mike Love -- the resentful rage-aholic, the schoolyard bully in the robes of a trailer park swami, the man who only meditates when he's not throwing diva-size tantrums about the way the music industry and the rock press and his own family have shafted him for over fifty years.
Mike Love -- all of the above, yet so much more. The tough guy from Dorsey High. The student of Chuck Berry and the midnight harmonizer on a thousand late night oldies in the streets of Hawthorne. The sheet metal apprentice who crafted a sound for summer and never got the respect he deserved because his cousin Brian perfectly fit the fake hippy media's idea of a "tormented genius."
If you can balance the different truths and make allowance for obvious evasions, this book is exciting and rewarding. Mike Love is incapable of perspective on his own behavior, but he turns out to be a surprisingly shrewd observer of rock history and an insightful analyst of the Beach Boys sound. He's more generous than you might expect, especially to departed Beach Boys Dennis and Carl Wilson. His take on the legendary SMILE sessions is self-serving and heretical, but much of it has the ring of truth. It's only when he tries to whitewash his own well-publicized fits of rage that the reader may feel somewhat queasy. But the revelations are worth it!
Mike's most legendary tantrum was at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1988. What's interesting is that he acknowledges how angry he was that night, but has no clue why. In particular, he admits to resenting Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, but tries in a vague way to suggest it's because of "drugs and everything else" that the Stones represent.
But I have a different theory. Mick Jagger and Mike Love are mirror images of each other. Both are front men, not musicians. Both led mid Sixties bands that focused on songs about a lifestyle rather than love songs. Both were instrumental in shaping how their band looked, and sounded, and what their music meant, even though they both relied on more gifted musicians to make the sounds. (Incidentally, both bands featured musical geniuses named Brian who could play any instrument, and both burned out young. Both became legends, beloved by the fans precisely because they couldn't cope with the rock lifestyle.) What Mike Love clearly hates is that while the whole world knows that Mick Jagger made the Stones the world's greatest rock and roll band, nobody has any idea how much Mike Love contributed to the Beach Boys.
Mike Love -- the rock and roll Judas who betrayed his Christ-like cousin Brian Wilson for twenty top ten hits three number ones and thirty pieces of silver.
Mike Love -- the notorious womanizer, the unrepentant ham, the shallow and insistently annoying pitch man for America's band.
Mike Love -- the resentful rage-aholic, the schoolyard bully in the robes of a trailer park swami, the man who only meditates when he's not throwing diva-size tantrums about the way the music industry and the rock press and his own family have shafted him for over fifty years.
Mike Love -- all of the above, yet so much more. The tough guy from Dorsey High. The student of Chuck Berry and the midnight harmonizer on a thousand late night oldies in the streets of Hawthorne. The sheet metal apprentice who crafted a sound for summer and never got the respect he deserved because his cousin Brian perfectly fit the fake hippy media's idea of a "tormented genius."
If you can balance the different truths and make allowance for obvious evasions, this book is exciting and rewarding. Mike Love is incapable of perspective on his own behavior, but he turns out to be a surprisingly shrewd observer of rock history and an insightful analyst of the Beach Boys sound. He's more generous than you might expect, especially to departed Beach Boys Dennis and Carl Wilson. His take on the legendary SMILE sessions is self-serving and heretical, but much of it has the ring of truth. It's only when he tries to whitewash his own well-publicized fits of rage that the reader may feel somewhat queasy. But the revelations are worth it!
Mike's most legendary tantrum was at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1988. What's interesting is that he acknowledges how angry he was that night, but has no clue why. In particular, he admits to resenting Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, but tries in a vague way to suggest it's because of "drugs and everything else" that the Stones represent.
But I have a different theory. Mick Jagger and Mike Love are mirror images of each other. Both are front men, not musicians. Both led mid Sixties bands that focused on songs about a lifestyle rather than love songs. Both were instrumental in shaping how their band looked, and sounded, and what their music meant, even though they both relied on more gifted musicians to make the sounds. (Incidentally, both bands featured musical geniuses named Brian who could play any instrument, and both burned out young. Both became legends, beloved by the fans precisely because they couldn't cope with the rock lifestyle.) What Mike Love clearly hates is that while the whole world knows that Mick Jagger made the Stones the world's greatest rock and roll band, nobody has any idea how much Mike Love contributed to the Beach Boys.
November 6, 2016
Second only to the Beatles in terms of the number of books detailing the histories of the two respective bands, The Beach Boys have been explored from nearly every possible angle. It might seem a memoir from Mike Love might be redundant, but it’s instead a needed corrective to many a previous volume.
That’s largely due to articles and books that started in the ‘70s that created the myth of Brian Wilson being the single tortured “Genius” of the band with the other members mere chess-pieces to his brilliance. Worse, it was then the stories began that if he had had more support and less obstruction from the other Beach Boys, Brian’s projects, especially the legendary Smile, would have been given to a hungry fan base eager for whatever Brian came up with. While Brian’s father Murray is justly the most vilified figure in the saga, Mike Love has been reviled for decades for supposedly being the Beach Boy who opposed Brian’s creative evolution.
In Good Vibrations, Love builds a very convincing case of self-defense. For one matter, he details his own contributions to the band’s catalogue of hits, especially their lyrics. As with many a previous chronicler of the music of the Beach Boys, he discusses the turmoils of the troubled Brian Wilson and shows how it was drug abuse and mental issues that derailed Wilson’s creativity, not squabbles with his bandmates.
Song by song, album by album, Love traces the output of the band highlighting the contributions of everyone in the band, with a noticeable lack of anything positive to say about Al Jardine. He acknowledges the early dominance of Brian in the studio and Love’s leadership of the band on the road. He credits Carl and Dennis Wilson for their input over the years and sadly repeats the stories of their declines due to drug abuse. All the Beach Boys are seen, warts and all, as being a dysfunctional batch of boys not especially good in their romantic relationships. No surprises here.
Naturally, his discussion of the court case that finally validated his songwriting claims doesn’t put Brian in a very favorable light. The duels continued through the 50th reunion tour, but Love asserts interference from non-band members and legal obligations is what led to the tour’s sad end, not some personal ego trip on his part.
I personally think Love’s memories of his time with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rikikesh is the best description of the Maharishi’s ashram I’ve read to date. I too have long thought Love’s involvement with presidents Reagan and Bush put him in the Republican camp, but he claims to be apolitical and the issues he worked on such as environmental concerns were more liberal than conservative. The story of the Beach Boys, of course, includes many sad chapters including Dennis Wilson’s involvement with Charles Manson and the control Eugene Levy wielded over Brian. It’s amazing the group maintained any life at all over the last 30 years.
True, no one should take the book as the unvarnished truth, as Mark Twain would put it, and Love is sometimes rather thin on explanations especially discussing his disastrous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speech. It’s impossible to argue with his conclusion that it remains the music, the “sonic oasis” as he calls it, that made Beach Boy music so universal, long-lasting, and meaningful to listeners over four generations.
If you’re among those who have seen Brian as the victimized hero and Mike Love as the vainglorious villain in the Beach Boys epic, Good Vibrations will contain many revelations and surprising perspectives. If you’re a Beach Boy fan and are willing to put your preconceptions aside, Good Vibrations is an indispensable read. Let me suggest reading the audio edition, read by Love himself. You get a hint of his personality with all his short laughs punctuating some of his observations. I’m very glad to have spent this time with one of the most important lyricists and rock stars of my generation. There’s no reason to be in either the Brian or Mike camps of supporters—we should be grateful we had them both, along with Carl, Dennis, Al, and Bruce Johnson.
This review first appeared at BookPleasures.com on Nov. 4, 2016 at:
goo.gl/oHkcbU
March 28, 2023
I bought this book for my wife after we watched the Movie 'Love and Mercy' about Brian Wilson and his struggles with drugs and mental health. I knew at the time she wanted Wilson's book 'I Am Brian Wilson', but yet I gave this one to her first. I think at the time it seemed to have a more positive outlook and although it is Mike Love's story, it covered the history of the Beach Boys as well. 'Loved' the book--is that a pun? You decide! The beginning is a little tedious as many bios are with early family life--which can get a little confusing with families as big as the Wilsons and Loves. After that the reader is immersed in Love's journey through his personal life and the Beach Boys. Insights into the development of Beach Boy songs, touring strategies, tragedies with drugs and relationships and a sense of what else was going on in the rest of the music world. I really have a better understanding of the legal proceedings involving Brian, Mike and various recording companies. If you like the Beach Boys--Mike's book is a must read to get a clear picture of the group and it's changes through time. The book includes photos, and an index. Now I'm on to Brian's book 'I Am Brian Wilson'.
July 3, 2019
Most of this book is super-dull. I quickly found myself skimming in way that challenges the definition of skimming. There is a fascinating section in the middle that deals w/ Dennis, as well as the Manson Family psychos. There is also a mildly interesting bit that refers to an ashram stay w/ the Beatles. Outside of that, the bits near the beginning, & a few near the end, about Brian, were pretty it much it for these dry, 422 pages of text. Mike Love comes off as an absolute prick, in my opinion. I nearly stopped reading after p. 18, b/c he is so f'ing entitled & full of himself. That actually was the point at which I started my skimming, to see if there would be any pay-off to continuing on through this guy's bologna. All that liberal skimming leads us here, to this review. Now I understand why this book was on the shelf at my local Dollar Tree store. So, I don't recommend this book...not even if it's only a dollar.
September 15, 2016
I have read a lot of Beach Boys memoirs. This one, despite being by an actual band member (thus far unprecedented, unless you count the spiritually unwholesome Wouldn't it Be Nice: My Own Story, penned by ghostwriter + unethical therapist & staff), is squarely in the middle of the pack.
I think a good barometer about whether a Beach Boys memoir is good is maybe the attention it pays to Surf's Up, Holland, and Love You. This sort of mentions that the band went to Holland to record an album, talks about how Surf's Up had good cover art and a Real Smile Track, and disses Love You in a paragraph. Against that, lots of good details about Why Everyone Is Down On Al Jardine, the big lawsuit over writing credits, and some of the creepy ins and outs of the Australian tour with David Frost. Brian is, maybe properly, kind of a spectral presence throughout: Mike doesn't seem to have access to his thoughts at all, even in the early phases of the book where much is made about their powerful friendship. This feels right--I totally believe that Mike legit loves Brian, but has no capacity to relate to Brian, no capacity to realize that some of Brian's reserve and withdrawal isn't because EVILDOERS are keeping him away from his Real Best Friend Mike Love, but that maybe this is a normal weird dynamic friendships get locked into in adolescence, and that most people do not end up stuck in a famous band together that calcifies the soul of one's friendship into a horrible skeleton that you must drag around forever and ever, that your entire economic life depends on you singing about night after night for the rest of your days?
It is maybe known that I wrote a long book about a surf-rock band that is in the process of maybe getting published or maybe not or something WHO KNOWS. One of the best things to realize in the course of writing it (and maybe its key element of Lasting Value) is that there is a validity to Mike Love's point of view, that it is even a central element of the power and sadness of the Beach Boys sigil design. When the book got kind of rough (creepy race stuff, shitty story about the band setting up Jeff Foskett with a trans woman of color because trans women are a fully joke you inflict on your bandmate to "josh him," etc.), it was important to realize that this was actually a book that confirmed that validity: that really does legitimately articulate Mike's "antichrist" position in the Beach Boys mythos, that these are real people and some of them can in fact speak for themselves pretty adequately when required.
AND THEN: right at the end of the book Mike goes into this sustained analysis of "Mt. Vernon and Fairway," making the should-have-been-obvious point: MIKE IS THE PRINCE AND BRIAN IS THE PIED PIPER. Why did I never realize this before? Seriously how was I so foolish as not to realize this? Something about that realization (either on behalf of Mike or the cowriter, although somehow the aggrieved tone of it makes me think it's Mike's insight?) is legit emotionally powerful, in a way that the stupid "THE SWITCHBLADE . . . AND THE BUTTERFLY" running motif is not. Not just "hey Brian wrote a song about Mike!", which is at least sort of obvious: the idea that M perceived that B wrote a song about M, and was both weirdly flattered by this and weirdly pissed off that B couldn't straightforwardly approach M about this song, but that it represented some kind of offering. There is a reciprocal part about "Brian's Back" that I would like to hear Brian write about at some point. I am excited by this cryptic dimension of Long Art Collaborations (c.f. John thinking Paul wrote "Hey Jude" about him even though he clearly wrote it about his Neglected Son.)
anyway if you are a brian wilson fan this is not as bad as you would like it to be, i think / i was surprised and delighted by much here, esp. the parts about Early Touring
I think a good barometer about whether a Beach Boys memoir is good is maybe the attention it pays to Surf's Up, Holland, and Love You. This sort of mentions that the band went to Holland to record an album, talks about how Surf's Up had good cover art and a Real Smile Track, and disses Love You in a paragraph. Against that, lots of good details about Why Everyone Is Down On Al Jardine, the big lawsuit over writing credits, and some of the creepy ins and outs of the Australian tour with David Frost. Brian is, maybe properly, kind of a spectral presence throughout: Mike doesn't seem to have access to his thoughts at all, even in the early phases of the book where much is made about their powerful friendship. This feels right--I totally believe that Mike legit loves Brian, but has no capacity to relate to Brian, no capacity to realize that some of Brian's reserve and withdrawal isn't because EVILDOERS are keeping him away from his Real Best Friend Mike Love, but that maybe this is a normal weird dynamic friendships get locked into in adolescence, and that most people do not end up stuck in a famous band together that calcifies the soul of one's friendship into a horrible skeleton that you must drag around forever and ever, that your entire economic life depends on you singing about night after night for the rest of your days?
It is maybe known that I wrote a long book about a surf-rock band that is in the process of maybe getting published or maybe not or something WHO KNOWS. One of the best things to realize in the course of writing it (and maybe its key element of Lasting Value) is that there is a validity to Mike Love's point of view, that it is even a central element of the power and sadness of the Beach Boys sigil design. When the book got kind of rough (creepy race stuff, shitty story about the band setting up Jeff Foskett with a trans woman of color because trans women are a fully joke you inflict on your bandmate to "josh him," etc.), it was important to realize that this was actually a book that confirmed that validity: that really does legitimately articulate Mike's "antichrist" position in the Beach Boys mythos, that these are real people and some of them can in fact speak for themselves pretty adequately when required.
AND THEN: right at the end of the book Mike goes into this sustained analysis of "Mt. Vernon and Fairway," making the should-have-been-obvious point: MIKE IS THE PRINCE AND BRIAN IS THE PIED PIPER. Why did I never realize this before? Seriously how was I so foolish as not to realize this? Something about that realization (either on behalf of Mike or the cowriter, although somehow the aggrieved tone of it makes me think it's Mike's insight?) is legit emotionally powerful, in a way that the stupid "THE SWITCHBLADE . . . AND THE BUTTERFLY" running motif is not. Not just "hey Brian wrote a song about Mike!", which is at least sort of obvious: the idea that M perceived that B wrote a song about M, and was both weirdly flattered by this and weirdly pissed off that B couldn't straightforwardly approach M about this song, but that it represented some kind of offering. There is a reciprocal part about "Brian's Back" that I would like to hear Brian write about at some point. I am excited by this cryptic dimension of Long Art Collaborations (c.f. John thinking Paul wrote "Hey Jude" about him even though he clearly wrote it about his Neglected Son.)
anyway if you are a brian wilson fan this is not as bad as you would like it to be, i think / i was surprised and delighted by much here, esp. the parts about Early Touring
November 3, 2016
Wow, what a ride! I loved this book, with it completely exceeding all expectations I had prior.
Mike Love's love and passion for The Beach Boys is clearly evident throughout. It's infectious and as The Beach Boys are one of my all-time favourite bands, I loved sharing that mutual love. Reading how each song was created was one of my favourite parts of the book; I loved being able to guess which hit was being born and discovering the process behind each one was fascinating. Couldn't stop turning the pages as the hits kept rolling in!
My Australian state of Tasmania even got a mention (we never do!) and it's this attention to detail and love for Beach Boy fans that helps make Mike's book so enjoyable to read.
It's clear from the book (perhaps not intentionally), that The Beach Boys were at their best when they were one group (writing, touring, recording together). By the time Pet Sounds comes about, the studio Beach Boys and touring Beach Boys divide is evident, and the tone of book slightly changes. Perhaps their most famous album is somewhat glanced over, because Mike was touring with The Beach Boys during its creation (by Brian and others back 'home'), so his writing input was limited.
As the 1970s rolled round, The Beach Boys momentum dropped and so did the book's pace - but only momentarily. Charles Manson soon gets things rolling again in tragic, gripping and mesmerising ways - his relationship with The Beach Boys (and Dennis in particular) was intriguing reading.
Mike's association and passion for Transcendental Meditation is throughout and made for interesting and unexpected reading. Reading the book felt not to dissimilar to Mike's own meditations and life (sometimes contradictory); huge highs, feelings of anger and frustration at my beloved Beach Boys fighting in court, unattractive licensing agreements and sadness at deaths. Nevertheless, the book finished with feelings of euphoria, positive vibes and hope for the future.
I can't help but feel that perhaps this will be one of the most thorough and in-depth accounts of The Beach Boys story from someone who lived it, in part because Mike's story is perhaps less-blurred and affected by the heavy drug abuse of other members who lived it. In saying that, I'm excited to read Brian Wilson's newly released book next!
Yes, Mike Love has an ego, but he's self-aware of that - and what rock star doesn't?! If you're a Beach Boys fan, this book is a must-read. I urge you to throw away any preconceived opinions of Mike Love prior to reading as well - his side of The Beach Boys story is highly entertaining reading.
Mike Love's love and passion for The Beach Boys is clearly evident throughout. It's infectious and as The Beach Boys are one of my all-time favourite bands, I loved sharing that mutual love. Reading how each song was created was one of my favourite parts of the book; I loved being able to guess which hit was being born and discovering the process behind each one was fascinating. Couldn't stop turning the pages as the hits kept rolling in!
My Australian state of Tasmania even got a mention (we never do!) and it's this attention to detail and love for Beach Boy fans that helps make Mike's book so enjoyable to read.
It's clear from the book (perhaps not intentionally), that The Beach Boys were at their best when they were one group (writing, touring, recording together). By the time Pet Sounds comes about, the studio Beach Boys and touring Beach Boys divide is evident, and the tone of book slightly changes. Perhaps their most famous album is somewhat glanced over, because Mike was touring with The Beach Boys during its creation (by Brian and others back 'home'), so his writing input was limited.
As the 1970s rolled round, The Beach Boys momentum dropped and so did the book's pace - but only momentarily. Charles Manson soon gets things rolling again in tragic, gripping and mesmerising ways - his relationship with The Beach Boys (and Dennis in particular) was intriguing reading.
Mike's association and passion for Transcendental Meditation is throughout and made for interesting and unexpected reading. Reading the book felt not to dissimilar to Mike's own meditations and life (sometimes contradictory); huge highs, feelings of anger and frustration at my beloved Beach Boys fighting in court, unattractive licensing agreements and sadness at deaths. Nevertheless, the book finished with feelings of euphoria, positive vibes and hope for the future.
I can't help but feel that perhaps this will be one of the most thorough and in-depth accounts of The Beach Boys story from someone who lived it, in part because Mike's story is perhaps less-blurred and affected by the heavy drug abuse of other members who lived it. In saying that, I'm excited to read Brian Wilson's newly released book next!
Yes, Mike Love has an ego, but he's self-aware of that - and what rock star doesn't?! If you're a Beach Boys fan, this book is a must-read. I urge you to throw away any preconceived opinions of Mike Love prior to reading as well - his side of The Beach Boys story is highly entertaining reading.
September 16, 2016
Its incredible to think that after a half century the Beach Boys are still touring! Founding member Mike Love (1941-) joined with his cousins Brian Wilson (1942-), Dennis Wilson (1944-1983), Carl Wilson (1946-1998) and high school friend Al Jardine (1942-) to form one of the greatest American bands in rock/pop history. In "Good Vibrations: My Life as a Beach Boy" Love (with James S. Hirsch) chronicles his memoir of his family musical history/legacy, the fame, hit songs/albums, the controversial involvement with Charles Manson/followers, Transcendental Meditation, and the less than flattering stories of drug/alcohol addictions and multiple marriages and divorces.
The Beach Boys represented the "Surf Craze" not just in name, but with their 1961 smash hit "Surfin' Safari". Dennis was the only one who actually surfed, and when the girls started screaming at a concert, he thought there was a fire. Love, being a husband and father was the oldest member at 20, and Carl the youngest was 14. With fame came the multitudes of adoring female fans, Love and his wife Frannie would divorce in 1963.
Love writes with understanding and compassion regarding Brian, when in 1962 Brian was in awe of Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" and directed his focus/energy more towards (studio) music production. "Pet Sounds" (1966) has been listed as one of the greatest albums of all time. The hippie "psychedelic movement" that originated in San Francisco's Haight/Ashbury, would influence American rock music and culture in profound ways, the Beach Boys would compete against the Beatles. Brian was introduced to LSD in 1964, and stopped touring in 1965. The late 1960's would take a toll with further drug problems. A major pivotal point for the band was when Brian's genius was declared by the media, likely putting undue stress and pressure on him, considering his mental health issues.
Love would decline the offers to take drugs supplied by the hangers on and turned to Transcendental Meditation instead, studying with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1967. This was embraced by many celebrities including the Beatles, Love was the only Beach Boy to continue with the practice, eventually becoming an instructor.
Overall, Love identified the Beach Boys division as himself with Jardine as the "Mediator" more level headed, serious, doing whatever possible to keep the band going, with Dennis and Carl being the good time and reckless "Partyers"-- then, Brian, with his unmistakable talent, orbiting around nearby. Critics have highlighted the battles and lawsuits of the Beach Boys in numerous books and articles. Love hasn't always received favorable publicity, yet he relates his story in an engaging positive spirit, appreciated by readers and fans alike.
The Beach Boys represented the "Surf Craze" not just in name, but with their 1961 smash hit "Surfin' Safari". Dennis was the only one who actually surfed, and when the girls started screaming at a concert, he thought there was a fire. Love, being a husband and father was the oldest member at 20, and Carl the youngest was 14. With fame came the multitudes of adoring female fans, Love and his wife Frannie would divorce in 1963.
Love writes with understanding and compassion regarding Brian, when in 1962 Brian was in awe of Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" and directed his focus/energy more towards (studio) music production. "Pet Sounds" (1966) has been listed as one of the greatest albums of all time. The hippie "psychedelic movement" that originated in San Francisco's Haight/Ashbury, would influence American rock music and culture in profound ways, the Beach Boys would compete against the Beatles. Brian was introduced to LSD in 1964, and stopped touring in 1965. The late 1960's would take a toll with further drug problems. A major pivotal point for the band was when Brian's genius was declared by the media, likely putting undue stress and pressure on him, considering his mental health issues.
Love would decline the offers to take drugs supplied by the hangers on and turned to Transcendental Meditation instead, studying with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1967. This was embraced by many celebrities including the Beatles, Love was the only Beach Boy to continue with the practice, eventually becoming an instructor.
Overall, Love identified the Beach Boys division as himself with Jardine as the "Mediator" more level headed, serious, doing whatever possible to keep the band going, with Dennis and Carl being the good time and reckless "Partyers"-- then, Brian, with his unmistakable talent, orbiting around nearby. Critics have highlighted the battles and lawsuits of the Beach Boys in numerous books and articles. Love hasn't always received favorable publicity, yet he relates his story in an engaging positive spirit, appreciated by readers and fans alike.
November 22, 2017
An advance copy of this book was provided to me by NetGalley in return for my fair and honest review.
I am coming to this book having read several other good Beach Boys' biographies over the decades, as well as the original autobiography written by Brian Wilson. Having come from that experience, I am looking for new kernels of information from one of the principals in the group, Mike Love. It's wonderful when the "middle man" is taken out of the equation and you hear from the main source directly. Perhaps if I had not read other books on this subject, I would find this tome more interesting. There were new kernels of information, but I didn't feel like it was that much in comparison to what I had already read over the years. However, I did feel as though Mike Love himeself was narrating this, which was pure pleasure to read.
Mike had his opportunity here to set the record straight on a lot of fronts such as his political stance, his co-authorship of many Beach Boys songs (which he initially did not get credit for), and his feelings towards his fellow Beach Boys. Shining through this entire book was his unabashed love for his cousin Brian Wilson, despite any legal issues surrounding their music. He even named his son after him, sometimes calling him "Little Brian." Now, that's Love!
Mike also covered the dark and frightening experience fellow Beach Boy Dennis Wilson had during the time he was "friends" with Charles Manson. I feel like Mike offered the most detailed information ever revealed on this topic in any Beach Boys book. He also covered all his marriages, children, his loving and talented Mother and sister Maureen, and the court proceedings that eventually gave him credit for songs he co-authored with Brian Wilson.
In final summation, I think this book was great for Mike to write to set things straight, as far as he was concerned. Is it the best Beach Boys book out there? Perhaps not. But, it's a very good book.
I am coming to this book having read several other good Beach Boys' biographies over the decades, as well as the original autobiography written by Brian Wilson. Having come from that experience, I am looking for new kernels of information from one of the principals in the group, Mike Love. It's wonderful when the "middle man" is taken out of the equation and you hear from the main source directly. Perhaps if I had not read other books on this subject, I would find this tome more interesting. There were new kernels of information, but I didn't feel like it was that much in comparison to what I had already read over the years. However, I did feel as though Mike Love himeself was narrating this, which was pure pleasure to read.
Mike had his opportunity here to set the record straight on a lot of fronts such as his political stance, his co-authorship of many Beach Boys songs (which he initially did not get credit for), and his feelings towards his fellow Beach Boys. Shining through this entire book was his unabashed love for his cousin Brian Wilson, despite any legal issues surrounding their music. He even named his son after him, sometimes calling him "Little Brian." Now, that's Love!
Mike also covered the dark and frightening experience fellow Beach Boy Dennis Wilson had during the time he was "friends" with Charles Manson. I feel like Mike offered the most detailed information ever revealed on this topic in any Beach Boys book. He also covered all his marriages, children, his loving and talented Mother and sister Maureen, and the court proceedings that eventually gave him credit for songs he co-authored with Brian Wilson.
In final summation, I think this book was great for Mike to write to set things straight, as far as he was concerned. Is it the best Beach Boys book out there? Perhaps not. But, it's a very good book.
November 7, 2018
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It caught me by surprise.
For years, I considered myself “team Brian” as far as The Beach Boys go. I assumed Mike Love was a cheesy, attention-seeking frontman who just rode the Wilson gravy train through pop music history.
He really has a fascinating story to tell. (He does still remain a cheesy frontman though.)
Poor Mike gets screwed over time and time again, gets cheated out of song-writing credits, gets pilloried in the press and in popular culture, but throughout it all he basically keeps the band alive by himself. I still think Brian Wilson was 100% the musical genius behind the band, but you have to give Mike credit.
He’s had a fascinating life on top of that. Always seems to be searching for a higher level of understanding and reality - certainly the George Harrison of the band in that regard.
Though certainly you have to take a bit of this with a grain of salt - as he could certainly be perceived to have a chip on his shoulder - it really makes you worry though about Brian Wilson’s current situation. I don’t think he is in good shape at all.
Lastly, this audiobook had an added bonus of Mike Love himself reading it. When a sentence includes a lyric, you get it sung to you by the real deal!
At any rate, a very enjoyable read for anyone with a passing interest in The Beach Boys.
A refreshing counterpoint to the Brian Wilson-genius storyline that dominates the usual Beach Boys history.
For years, I considered myself “team Brian” as far as The Beach Boys go. I assumed Mike Love was a cheesy, attention-seeking frontman who just rode the Wilson gravy train through pop music history.
He really has a fascinating story to tell. (He does still remain a cheesy frontman though.)
Poor Mike gets screwed over time and time again, gets cheated out of song-writing credits, gets pilloried in the press and in popular culture, but throughout it all he basically keeps the band alive by himself. I still think Brian Wilson was 100% the musical genius behind the band, but you have to give Mike credit.
He’s had a fascinating life on top of that. Always seems to be searching for a higher level of understanding and reality - certainly the George Harrison of the band in that regard.
Though certainly you have to take a bit of this with a grain of salt - as he could certainly be perceived to have a chip on his shoulder - it really makes you worry though about Brian Wilson’s current situation. I don’t think he is in good shape at all.
Lastly, this audiobook had an added bonus of Mike Love himself reading it. When a sentence includes a lyric, you get it sung to you by the real deal!
At any rate, a very enjoyable read for anyone with a passing interest in The Beach Boys.
A refreshing counterpoint to the Brian Wilson-genius storyline that dominates the usual Beach Boys history.
February 5, 2017
Mike Love not war. Or something like that. This is the year of dueling Beach Boys' autobiographies. (Brian's latest is set to be released soon.) I have to say I ripped through this. It's honest, smug, generous, crazy. Both anecdotes I haven't read before and covering familiar territory. Nicest surprise: Mike's not as unsympathetic to his nemesis, cousin and BB drummer Dennis, as one would imagine. Even after he recounts their punch fest at an airport, he sends him off with a "Sail On, Sailor." He also gives musical influence props to Audree Wilson, who is often overlooked. Mike Love is one of a kind (thank goodness!), and I find it hard to despise the wily huckster.
October 3, 2016
Just finished the book moments ago and am pleased to say it has vaulted to the top of a long list of rock 'n roll memoirs I've read. It's very well written and covers every controversial incident and comment we've heard about through the years as well as many uplifting, happy events and moments. In that respect, reading this book is like listening to a compilation of the entire Beach Boys catalog--it tags every emotional base. It answers every question about The Beach Boys and Mike Love's life that I had when I started reading, and it includes rich details about the writing of many of the Beach Boys' greatest songs. The origins and outcomes of the many legal troubles within the band are clearly explained, as well as the various drug problems, Manson Family connections, and untimely deaths of family members. Throughout it all, Mike Love is magnanimous in his descriptions of band members and conflicts within the band. He is humble about his mistakes and discusses them along with his many high points and successes. Even the two obvious villains in his story--dishonest manager Uncle Murry Wilson and corrupt therapist Eugene Landy--receive fair treatment in the description of their misdeeds. All in all, this is an excellent read. Be sure to have all your Beach Boys albums at your side when you read how these timeless songs were written and recorded.
November 11, 2024
I loved this! The more Beach Boys info I get, the better. Because I love that freaking band! And I love rock n’ roll, baby!
This book was interesting, upsetting, confusing, fun, and heartwarming. The lives of The Beach Boys were so so so messy and insane. I’m so grateful I’m just a girlie pop living a normal life.
Honestly, this helped humanize Mike a bit for me. He gets a lot of crap and after reading this and doin’ a little research, I discovered that the bad rumors were often based on lies. Which is super unfortunate. It would drive me crazy if the world perceived me as something I’m not. I think I’d die. But he’s a tough cookie, so he’s fine.
Anyway, I learned a lot from this. Mike isn’t perfect and neither is Brian, Carl, Dennis (Dennis was actually kind of crazy sauce). They all have done some really awful things (cheating, violence, lying, backstabbing, etc.) but they’re also just people, trying to be good, trying to make a difference. And they made some far out music along the way.
STORY TIME!
I met Mike Love once. It was June 2017. I was seeing The Beach Boys with friends in Park City, UT. One friend and I wore our ‘Brian Wilson’ t-shirts to be funny and maybe bother him a little. Cuz we were annoying like that. We danced our freaking feet off and actually ended up getting photographed and put on The Beach Boys Facebook page. We were 18-19 ish at the time.
Somehow we noticed Mike walking to some trailers or something, no one else had noticed him yet. We caught up to him and this is how the conversation went:
Us: Hi, Mike! The show was great! We love your music!
Him: *awkwardly* Thanks. Where are you guys from?
Us: Idaho.
Him: You ever been to Coeur d’Alene?
Us: Uhm, yeah! Hah.
Him: That’s a long ways away…
Us. Ha, yeah…
The end!
I also need to add that I also met Al Jardine in Park City, UT for one of his separate shows and that was awkward too. Lolol. It is what it is!!
This book was interesting, upsetting, confusing, fun, and heartwarming. The lives of The Beach Boys were so so so messy and insane. I’m so grateful I’m just a girlie pop living a normal life.
Honestly, this helped humanize Mike a bit for me. He gets a lot of crap and after reading this and doin’ a little research, I discovered that the bad rumors were often based on lies. Which is super unfortunate. It would drive me crazy if the world perceived me as something I’m not. I think I’d die. But he’s a tough cookie, so he’s fine.
Anyway, I learned a lot from this. Mike isn’t perfect and neither is Brian, Carl, Dennis (Dennis was actually kind of crazy sauce). They all have done some really awful things (cheating, violence, lying, backstabbing, etc.) but they’re also just people, trying to be good, trying to make a difference. And they made some far out music along the way.
STORY TIME!
I met Mike Love once. It was June 2017. I was seeing The Beach Boys with friends in Park City, UT. One friend and I wore our ‘Brian Wilson’ t-shirts to be funny and maybe bother him a little. Cuz we were annoying like that. We danced our freaking feet off and actually ended up getting photographed and put on The Beach Boys Facebook page. We were 18-19 ish at the time.
Somehow we noticed Mike walking to some trailers or something, no one else had noticed him yet. We caught up to him and this is how the conversation went:
Us: Hi, Mike! The show was great! We love your music!
Him: *awkwardly* Thanks. Where are you guys from?
Us: Idaho.
Him: You ever been to Coeur d’Alene?
Us: Uhm, yeah! Hah.
Him: That’s a long ways away…
Us. Ha, yeah…
The end!
I also need to add that I also met Al Jardine in Park City, UT for one of his separate shows and that was awkward too. Lolol. It is what it is!!
December 31, 2018
I love the colorful clothes she wears
And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
I hear the sound of a gentle word
On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air
--Good Vibrations--
I'm a huge Beach Boys fan and have read pretty much every book written about the band, so I was excited to hear the story in the words of Mike Love. For those considering this book, I'd just say it's worth the read if you're an avid Beach Boys fan, but be prepared for quite a bit of discussion supporting why the author hasn't received the credit due him for his role with the band.
After a rather boring beginning describing the Love/Wilson ancestry, the remaining chapters raise issues which have clearly gnawed at Mike for years, such as song writing credits Love was swindled out of by Brian and Murray (father) Wilson, the negative effects of Brian Wilson being called a "genius" by music aficionados, how Mike never deserved to be painted with the "don't f**k with the formula" mantra, etc.
While I enjoyed Mike's perspective on the background/history of the band, I just couldn't get beyond the not so subtle banter about not receiving fair credit for song writing. In the early 1990s Mike Love sued Brian Wilson and successfully won a judgement that Brian had defrauded him of millions of royalties for songs in which Mike had not been credited as a writer. To Mike's "credit" (sorry) he settled for an amount far less than he probably could have collected. As Mike states in the book, in order to win the case he had to prove that he was a true "partner" with Brian Wilson in creating the songs, as opposed to just another collaborator.
Brian Wilson relied on the help of several lyricists over the years, and Mike Love was clearly the primary go-to person, especially in the early surfer, girls, cars, phase of the Beach Boys. But others like Tony Asher (Pet Sounds) wrote many of the very best lyrics (God Only Knows). Van Dyke Parks wrote lyrics for the highly acclaimed Smile album, and while most of the Smile album lyrics were nonsensical, the songs remain some of the Beach Boys' best (Heroes & Villains). This only goes to show that it's the underlying music (Brian Wilson) which makes these songs timeless, not the lyrics.
Put another way, Mike Love would have never been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (you really must watch Mike's induction speech on YouTube if you'd like to catch a glimpse of his abrasive personality) without Brian Wilson, whereas I don't believe the reverse to be true. By comparison John, Paul and George of the Beatles can be said to be true "partners", as each would write songs which stood the test of time and each would have successful solo careers making music. Mike Love on the other hand, is a good lyricist and performer, but few would say he's the reason for the Beach Boys songwriting success.
Having said that, I don't believe Mike Love gets enough credit for his singing, which oddly enough is not something he brings up in the book. His voice, while nasally, has become the de facto lead voice of the band. And while they've all contributed vocally (Brian's falsetto), Mike's voice has an unpretentious and likable quality that characterizes the teen surfer image. IMO, his unique voice has been a greater contribution to the band than his on-stage performer skills.
And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
I hear the sound of a gentle word
On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air
--Good Vibrations--
I'm a huge Beach Boys fan and have read pretty much every book written about the band, so I was excited to hear the story in the words of Mike Love. For those considering this book, I'd just say it's worth the read if you're an avid Beach Boys fan, but be prepared for quite a bit of discussion supporting why the author hasn't received the credit due him for his role with the band.
After a rather boring beginning describing the Love/Wilson ancestry, the remaining chapters raise issues which have clearly gnawed at Mike for years, such as song writing credits Love was swindled out of by Brian and Murray (father) Wilson, the negative effects of Brian Wilson being called a "genius" by music aficionados, how Mike never deserved to be painted with the "don't f**k with the formula" mantra, etc.
While I enjoyed Mike's perspective on the background/history of the band, I just couldn't get beyond the not so subtle banter about not receiving fair credit for song writing. In the early 1990s Mike Love sued Brian Wilson and successfully won a judgement that Brian had defrauded him of millions of royalties for songs in which Mike had not been credited as a writer. To Mike's "credit" (sorry) he settled for an amount far less than he probably could have collected. As Mike states in the book, in order to win the case he had to prove that he was a true "partner" with Brian Wilson in creating the songs, as opposed to just another collaborator.
Brian Wilson relied on the help of several lyricists over the years, and Mike Love was clearly the primary go-to person, especially in the early surfer, girls, cars, phase of the Beach Boys. But others like Tony Asher (Pet Sounds) wrote many of the very best lyrics (God Only Knows). Van Dyke Parks wrote lyrics for the highly acclaimed Smile album, and while most of the Smile album lyrics were nonsensical, the songs remain some of the Beach Boys' best (Heroes & Villains). This only goes to show that it's the underlying music (Brian Wilson) which makes these songs timeless, not the lyrics.
Put another way, Mike Love would have never been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (you really must watch Mike's induction speech on YouTube if you'd like to catch a glimpse of his abrasive personality) without Brian Wilson, whereas I don't believe the reverse to be true. By comparison John, Paul and George of the Beatles can be said to be true "partners", as each would write songs which stood the test of time and each would have successful solo careers making music. Mike Love on the other hand, is a good lyricist and performer, but few would say he's the reason for the Beach Boys songwriting success.
Having said that, I don't believe Mike Love gets enough credit for his singing, which oddly enough is not something he brings up in the book. His voice, while nasally, has become the de facto lead voice of the band. And while they've all contributed vocally (Brian's falsetto), Mike's voice has an unpretentious and likable quality that characterizes the teen surfer image. IMO, his unique voice has been a greater contribution to the band than his on-stage performer skills.
May 5, 2017
I prefer this over Brian Wilson's book. But not by much. Both are idiots.
But that doesn't mean they aren't good musicians and nice guys - I just wouldn't trust either to teach my children's sunday school class OR proper health care and business ethics. I'd jam with them both though. (just not at the same time.)
So here we get Mike Love's side of the Beach Boys insanity. Just as insane - but from somebody who's slightly more aware of reality - and I mean barely: this book is filled with Mike Love's spiritually retarded TM (transcendental meditation Yoga crap for the previously rich and famous: similar to the Beatles being conned by the same guy. Although Mike is still embracing the foolishness).
Yep, Mike even dares to mention Deepak Chopra as a reliable source on science and spirituality. I read one of Deepak's books... oh my Freakin' Goodness that was theologically pathetic and incredibly dishonest. Only a butthead with zero scholastic research abilities would begin to buy that crap. Even John Lennon knew when to walk away from the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. (i'm gonna have to spend some time seriously investigating this guys Hindu game and meditation scam).
There's a hilarious moment in the book when Mike and the Maharishi attempt to stop the U.S. from a war with terrorists. Although I think even Mike realizes that he and the Maharishi have a pathetic success rate at stopping wars and decades of bickerings amongst a few surf musicians - good luck dealing with centuries of Islamic terror and global greed/pride.
It was fun learning what songs Mike wrote and how he got conned out of his royalties. (hmmm...conned again?)
Like all Rockstars: Mike flounders through numerous marriages and random children. Best not to take family counseling advice from this guy. But it does appear he is making a great effort to be a good Grandpa and husband.
But that doesn't mean they aren't good musicians and nice guys - I just wouldn't trust either to teach my children's sunday school class OR proper health care and business ethics. I'd jam with them both though. (just not at the same time.)
So here we get Mike Love's side of the Beach Boys insanity. Just as insane - but from somebody who's slightly more aware of reality - and I mean barely: this book is filled with Mike Love's spiritually retarded TM (transcendental meditation Yoga crap for the previously rich and famous: similar to the Beatles being conned by the same guy. Although Mike is still embracing the foolishness).
Yep, Mike even dares to mention Deepak Chopra as a reliable source on science and spirituality. I read one of Deepak's books... oh my Freakin' Goodness that was theologically pathetic and incredibly dishonest. Only a butthead with zero scholastic research abilities would begin to buy that crap. Even John Lennon knew when to walk away from the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. (i'm gonna have to spend some time seriously investigating this guys Hindu game and meditation scam).
There's a hilarious moment in the book when Mike and the Maharishi attempt to stop the U.S. from a war with terrorists. Although I think even Mike realizes that he and the Maharishi have a pathetic success rate at stopping wars and decades of bickerings amongst a few surf musicians - good luck dealing with centuries of Islamic terror and global greed/pride.
It was fun learning what songs Mike wrote and how he got conned out of his royalties. (hmmm...conned again?)
Like all Rockstars: Mike flounders through numerous marriages and random children. Best not to take family counseling advice from this guy. But it does appear he is making a great effort to be a good Grandpa and husband.
October 25, 2016
I have to admit that I did not finish this. I read it immediately after reading Brian Wilson's book. The contradictions were unbelievable and I finally had to just put it down. I felt like Love in writing this was trying to secure his place in music history.
While we'll never know what went down among the inner circle of the band, I'm tending to believe Wilson's account a bit more. Wilson's book reinforced his mental illness and therefore his unique way of viewing the world. His talent comes through in the book, whereas Love clearly tries to tell readers that he is talented. Was Mike Love an important member of the Beach Boys? Of course but in my opinion Brian Wilson was not only that but also an important song writer and musician whose influence was vast.
While we'll never know what went down among the inner circle of the band, I'm tending to believe Wilson's account a bit more. Wilson's book reinforced his mental illness and therefore his unique way of viewing the world. His talent comes through in the book, whereas Love clearly tries to tell readers that he is talented. Was Mike Love an important member of the Beach Boys? Of course but in my opinion Brian Wilson was not only that but also an important song writer and musician whose influence was vast.
December 7, 2016
Just could not make it through all the self-glorification and bragging. I did not know this about Mike Love before beginning the book, but then "googled" him and found LOADS of references to his HUGE ego. When I got to the part of his acceptance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I tried to watch it on Youtube and had to stop. UGH!
I've read several other books about Brian and need to list them on gr. I also want to check to see if there are any books by the other guys.
I've read several other books about Brian and need to list them on gr. I also want to check to see if there are any books by the other guys.
October 25, 2016
I loved this book. This is one where the audibook is so great as you get to hear the man who lived through all of these experiences. Mike Love comes across as honest, self-deprecating and relatable. I especially enjoyed during a funny story when Mike would chuckle. This book did not disappoint. I could have listened for hours more.
July 1, 2017
Full disclosure: I have always felt that Mike Love is a pompous ass. I vowed not to buy this book, but when I saw it displayed at the library, I checked it out. It does not disappoint. According to Mike Love, he is the backbone and momentum of the Beach Boys' success. He taught everybody everything they know. Yuck.
April 27, 2017
A few impressions I gathered (or had reinforced for me) by reading this memoir:
1. Most rock stars have damn healthy egos. Predictably, some are much better at handling this and its effect on their personal lives than others.
2. Because most rock stars have damn healthy egos, bands can be a volatile stew of personalities, neuroses, addictions, and family dynamics. The Beach Boys are no exception.
3. It's awful hard to break out of a pattern that's been set since adolescence or even before. Mike Love and the Wilson brothers were cousins, so their relationship predated the formation of the Beach Boys. Thus it's difficult to tease out what difficulties between them grew from those very early days and which were effects of sudden, early, and great fame.
4. The aforementioned early fame, especially if it arises early enough that the famous one has yet to establish a self-concept or identity, and/or if it precludes the individual from having a real childhood...that has so many effects on a person that I don't have the time or energy to go into it here. Lemme just say it messes you up.
5. Mix #4 with a job that allows you to turn over responsibility for many of your everyday functions to others (for better or worse results) and to arrange your schedule so as to accommodate sleeping off hangovers or binges, and voila -- you've created a climate where you can gratify your own desires and whims with little or no regard for their effects on others. Or on yourself, but it'll take you a while to figure that one out.
6. Combine #4 and #5 with money, and you can run away from busted relationships, desert your children, be a serial monogamist (or serially cheat on your spouses, because what happens on the road stays on the road, amirite?), and generally throw payments at whatever you leave in your wake. Money will make the road smooth before you...
7. Until you lose the money or its flow slows to a trickle. That's a game changer. At that point you will rediscover your work ethic. But you will never be able to turn back time and do things differently, which is why God gave us litigation.
8. Some people are just geniuses whose inspiration and talent can only be explained as a gift from Above. You will be in equal parts envious, intimidated, and astonished by their deeds and creations, and this will color your entire existence, personal and artistic.
9. The rock star memoir always includes some combination of false self-deprecation, lukewarm acknowledgement of one's sins and their deleterious effects on one's family and friends, tales of debauchery/lechery, narrow escapes from death/dismemberment, majestic accounts of performances delivered in a still awe-struck tone, reverence for the fans and their decades-long devotion, name-dropping, and trial transcripts. This one is no exception to that rule. Through the whole story, I've gotta give Mike Love credit for remaining exactly who he is. He's pugnacious, tenacious, a pragmatic and realistic businessman, and a big enough ego that he can't handle being second-best or being made to look like a putz (which he is, from time to time).
10. If you accept all this, you can enjoy just about any rock star memoir and appreciate those that do break the mold. I did enjoy this, mostly because I've been a Beach Boys fan for most of my life (I danced to "God Only Knows" with my dad at my wedding) and, having read a lot about Brian Wilson's struggles and role in the band's history, I wanted another perspective. This definitely delivered that new point of view. You may not come out of this liking Mike Love very much, but you will gain insight into his character, that of the other band members, and how in spite of or because of all that, they created music that is a precious remnant of an America before assassinations, terrorism, and grief stole away its innocence, when a fast car, a surfboard, and a varsity letter were all we needed to feel complete.
1. Most rock stars have damn healthy egos. Predictably, some are much better at handling this and its effect on their personal lives than others.
2. Because most rock stars have damn healthy egos, bands can be a volatile stew of personalities, neuroses, addictions, and family dynamics. The Beach Boys are no exception.
3. It's awful hard to break out of a pattern that's been set since adolescence or even before. Mike Love and the Wilson brothers were cousins, so their relationship predated the formation of the Beach Boys. Thus it's difficult to tease out what difficulties between them grew from those very early days and which were effects of sudden, early, and great fame.
4. The aforementioned early fame, especially if it arises early enough that the famous one has yet to establish a self-concept or identity, and/or if it precludes the individual from having a real childhood...that has so many effects on a person that I don't have the time or energy to go into it here. Lemme just say it messes you up.
5. Mix #4 with a job that allows you to turn over responsibility for many of your everyday functions to others (for better or worse results) and to arrange your schedule so as to accommodate sleeping off hangovers or binges, and voila -- you've created a climate where you can gratify your own desires and whims with little or no regard for their effects on others. Or on yourself, but it'll take you a while to figure that one out.
6. Combine #4 and #5 with money, and you can run away from busted relationships, desert your children, be a serial monogamist (or serially cheat on your spouses, because what happens on the road stays on the road, amirite?), and generally throw payments at whatever you leave in your wake. Money will make the road smooth before you...
7. Until you lose the money or its flow slows to a trickle. That's a game changer. At that point you will rediscover your work ethic. But you will never be able to turn back time and do things differently, which is why God gave us litigation.
8. Some people are just geniuses whose inspiration and talent can only be explained as a gift from Above. You will be in equal parts envious, intimidated, and astonished by their deeds and creations, and this will color your entire existence, personal and artistic.
9. The rock star memoir always includes some combination of false self-deprecation, lukewarm acknowledgement of one's sins and their deleterious effects on one's family and friends, tales of debauchery/lechery, narrow escapes from death/dismemberment, majestic accounts of performances delivered in a still awe-struck tone, reverence for the fans and their decades-long devotion, name-dropping, and trial transcripts. This one is no exception to that rule. Through the whole story, I've gotta give Mike Love credit for remaining exactly who he is. He's pugnacious, tenacious, a pragmatic and realistic businessman, and a big enough ego that he can't handle being second-best or being made to look like a putz (which he is, from time to time).
10. If you accept all this, you can enjoy just about any rock star memoir and appreciate those that do break the mold. I did enjoy this, mostly because I've been a Beach Boys fan for most of my life (I danced to "God Only Knows" with my dad at my wedding) and, having read a lot about Brian Wilson's struggles and role in the band's history, I wanted another perspective. This definitely delivered that new point of view. You may not come out of this liking Mike Love very much, but you will gain insight into his character, that of the other band members, and how in spite of or because of all that, they created music that is a precious remnant of an America before assassinations, terrorism, and grief stole away its innocence, when a fast car, a surfboard, and a varsity letter were all we needed to feel complete.
July 8, 2019
I picked this up at the library on a whim for two reasons. I know very little about The Beach Boys even though I like their music so I thought it'd be fun to learn more. Also, I enjoy reading memoirs.
I read up to the late 60's which covers when all their greatest hits were created. I'm quitting the memoir because Mike Love is just not someone I want to spend any more time with. It turns out, he is a fairly unpleasant and un- self aware person. It's pretty telling that he comes across in such a negative light when normally memoirs present the best side of the person writing the memoir. If he is this unlikeable here, what must he be like in real life?
The first sign of unlikeability came fairly early on in the book, within the first 15 pages. Mike tells a story about how he used to N word to a group of black guys at his high school but it was ok because they knew how much Mike appreciated their culture. Oh my. Just.....no. Trust me, Mike, they didn't think it was ok. Later on in the book, when discussing avoiding the draft, he mentions how one guy "fagged out" of the draft. That is, pretended to be gay so the army would reject him. Yikes. Ok, I get that he is almost 80 so his attitudes are not great but still. Is this someone I want to be listening to?
Another cringe-inducing part of the memoir was the casual sexism and cheating on his wive(s). Yes, totally standard for a rock star in the 60's but still gross. His "drug of choice" as he puts it, was one night stands. He wasn't even having affairs with women in real life, it was more just anonymous one night stands with fans while on tour. How depressing and empty.
I feel like the point of this memoir was to back up the lawsuit that he eventually filled where he claimed he co-wrote most of the songs with Brian. Who knows if he did or didn't write the songs. I sure don't know. However, it was weird how much of the book detailed exactly how he wrote the lyrics. I was driving down this road going to this place and that's when I came up with the lyrics for this famous song etc. No other musician's memoir that I have read has gone into such detail about the technical aspects of writing music. It's more about feelings or what they were attempting to do stylistically. Not giving specifics like for a deposition.
I give it two stars because I did learn about the beginnings of the band which was interesting. I also was entertained by Mike's obsession with The Beatles and how basically they were so much cooler & successful & well respected than The Beach Boys were. Wow, he has such a chip on his shoulder about them! I doubt John Lennon or Paul McCartney ever thought even one tenth of what Mike though about them. Haha.
I read up to the late 60's which covers when all their greatest hits were created. I'm quitting the memoir because Mike Love is just not someone I want to spend any more time with. It turns out, he is a fairly unpleasant and un- self aware person. It's pretty telling that he comes across in such a negative light when normally memoirs present the best side of the person writing the memoir. If he is this unlikeable here, what must he be like in real life?
The first sign of unlikeability came fairly early on in the book, within the first 15 pages. Mike tells a story about how he used to N word to a group of black guys at his high school but it was ok because they knew how much Mike appreciated their culture. Oh my. Just.....no. Trust me, Mike, they didn't think it was ok. Later on in the book, when discussing avoiding the draft, he mentions how one guy "fagged out" of the draft. That is, pretended to be gay so the army would reject him. Yikes. Ok, I get that he is almost 80 so his attitudes are not great but still. Is this someone I want to be listening to?
Another cringe-inducing part of the memoir was the casual sexism and cheating on his wive(s). Yes, totally standard for a rock star in the 60's but still gross. His "drug of choice" as he puts it, was one night stands. He wasn't even having affairs with women in real life, it was more just anonymous one night stands with fans while on tour. How depressing and empty.
I feel like the point of this memoir was to back up the lawsuit that he eventually filled where he claimed he co-wrote most of the songs with Brian. Who knows if he did or didn't write the songs. I sure don't know. However, it was weird how much of the book detailed exactly how he wrote the lyrics. I was driving down this road going to this place and that's when I came up with the lyrics for this famous song etc. No other musician's memoir that I have read has gone into such detail about the technical aspects of writing music. It's more about feelings or what they were attempting to do stylistically. Not giving specifics like for a deposition.
I give it two stars because I did learn about the beginnings of the band which was interesting. I also was entertained by Mike's obsession with The Beatles and how basically they were so much cooler & successful & well respected than The Beach Boys were. Wow, he has such a chip on his shoulder about them! I doubt John Lennon or Paul McCartney ever thought even one tenth of what Mike though about them. Haha.
October 9, 2016
He practices TM, but he blows up. He's blown through multiple wives and children (even taken on a child not his after all), so a certain irresponsibility there. Goes to court to establish he wrote the lyrics to Beach Boys songs. Brian Wilson a mental mess. Carl and Dennis dead. Murry, the family annilihator--my job is done. In the end, I think his life has been shielding, much as many of the wealthy who have created their own new reality in a bubble (Hello, Donald Trump). It's a lifestyle that absolves you of so much that the rest of humanity must deal with on a day to day basis. He may as well have named the book "Kokomo."
October 10, 2016
Hoo boy. Does Mike Love ever have it out for Brian Wilson. And not just Brian. He lays into every other member of the Beach Boys (except Bruce Johnston, his longtime bosom buddy), dishing like a gossipy old lady at the grocery store.
As much as he touts Transcendental Meditation in helping him minimize his anger and aggression, it hasn't kept him from rehashing decades-old spats with smarmy relish. Still, I won't deny the lowly voyeuristic pleasures the book offers.
As much as he touts Transcendental Meditation in helping him minimize his anger and aggression, it hasn't kept him from rehashing decades-old spats with smarmy relish. Still, I won't deny the lowly voyeuristic pleasures the book offers.
September 29, 2016
A better title for this book would have been "Mike Love: People I Dislike & A List of Useless Charts"
It was fun for the drama, but filled with a lot of chart standings of compliations that all just blend together after awhile.
It was fun for the drama, but filled with a lot of chart standings of compliations that all just blend together after awhile.
November 30, 2017
I wish Al Jardine would tell his side of things. He always comes across as the least evil of the bunch. Mike only takes a few swipes at him so there must not be much bad to say of him.
November 20, 2016
(3-1/2 stars) Very readable autobiography from the Beach Boy who has the reputation for being hot-headed and contentious. His style (or his co-writer's style) is smooth and very readable, but he still comes off as pompous and unlikable. Still, this is must reading for Beach Boys fans, and it works especially well as a complement and corrective for Brian Wilson's recent book, I Am Brian Wilson. Love makes a particularly good case that he was shafted for years by Wilson over songwriting credits. I also have to give credit to Love for sticking with the group all this time. Without him, the band would surely have ceased to exist many years ago, and even if they haven't made truly great music since the 70s (though I very much like the 2012 album That's Why God Made the Radio), I still like knowing they're still out there plugging along.
May 27, 2017
Mike Love doesn't spare a detail in this account of his life as part of the Beach Boys. The book is a veritable "Who's Who" of 20th century rock music, and he weaves his band's story in with all the other greats they encountered on their road. It's too bad the members were subject to the pitfalls of stardom. They didn't miss one: addiction, failed relationships, bad financial advice, and straight up fraud and theft. But, at the end of the day, Love seems grateful for the journey overall and he seems reconciled to the dilemma of a popular artist: Play favorites for the fans, or expand the limits of the craft? He comes down firmly on the side of his listeners. My main take away, though, is the fact that I have been singing the first line of "Surfin' USA" incorrectly since the day I first heard it - 40 years ago.
January 7, 2017
Two factors heavily influence my review of Mike Love's "Good Vibrations." I grew up in California in the Sixties and the music of the Beach Boys is part of my DNA. Also I read this book in November sitting by the pool under a palm tree in Hawaii. That's like reading a book about the Beatles while visiting Liverpool. My impression was that Mike Love was the least "lovable" of the Beach Boys. I now understand some of the drama going on the group. If I wrote "California Girls" and didn't get credited that might make me a little cranky. I have a new appreciation for Mike Love and the long journey he's had. It's not always pretty but I found it well written and fascinating. Great rock 'n' roll biography
December 22, 2025
You don’t have to be a Beach Boys fan to enjoy Good Vibrations by Mike Love. Mike Love, cousin to Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, tells the fascinating story of their rise to fame. At a time when the Beatles and the British Invasion set American rock back a step or two, the Beach Boys provided a new sound - the sun, the beaches, the babes, and the car love of Southern California. But fame has its cost. Mike Love is brutally honest about the drug use, the Manson connection, and the schizophrenic behavior of the groups front man/genius, Brian Wilson, who sought therapy from a schemer and a con-man seeking monetary gain. So my advice to you is to fasten your seatbelts in your 409’s and take a ride.
January 11, 2017
I am only a casual Beach Boys fan, but I was curious about Mike Love because he had a reputation as a villain. He does not come off as one in this book, though; he really just seemed to want credit for songs he co-wrote. There are plenty of behind the scenes stories in here, crazy encounters with Charles Manson and Love's quest to find peace. Very entertaining, whether you agree with him or not on the Beach Boys impact on musical history.
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