One of my favorite parts of the mini series they aired not too long ago (editor's note: "Beach Boys: An American Family") is where a bathrobed Brian plays an early version of his masterpiece "Good Vibrations" to Mike. This version is really incoherent and all over the place and Mike replies to it that it would "freak out" their fans. A shocked and confused Brian states that they "have to like it". Well, anyhoo, Brian, being stuck, breaks down and asks Cousin Mikey for help and, like any good cousin would, Mike sits down and magically pulls all of these vague ideas into a palatable, commercial magnum opus. Now I don't know if it happened exactly like this, but something tells me that "Good Vibrations" would never have been the success it was if Brian didn't get some assistance from Mike. Just listen to that early version (editor's note: parts of Track 8, Bonus Disc, Good Vibrations box set) and the completed version and you can see for yourself where Brian's ideas were stuck at and Mike's touchups and musical hooks bring the whole thing together. I think this is probably Mike's greatest asset and part of the reason he is not really liked to much, being commercial, that is.
Mike Love was born in Baldwin Hills, California on March 15, 1941. This would make him the oldest of the core members and this is appropriate because he always looked the oldest. He must have like lost his hair really early. But he never let this minor setback hinder him too badly (thanks to a never ending carousel of hats), for he seems like a very outgoing and funny fellow and was basically the band's concert emcee. Early on, when everyone's roles were less defined, he was also the lead vocalist. And with so many outstanding voices in the band, this says quite a bit. He had (I don't know about now) an outstanding vocal range. He had no problem reaching the upper register notes on his leads. But he really shined when he sang bass, and boy, he did it well. I think that his bass singing is his greatest gift to the Beach Boy sound.
He was also one of the group's first primary lyricists, penning the lyrics to some of their favorite numbers. His lyrics were clever and to-the-point, fitting the songs perfectly. He could also come up with a decent tune when need be. Mike also became very involved in the whole Transcendental Meditation thing, and rumor has it that while studying under the Maharishi at Rishikesh, he helped one Paul McCartney write "Back the USSR". But things were not all sunny days and beaches.
In the mid 60's, around the time of Pet Sounds I think, a creative rift developed between some members of the band that never entirely went away. In fact, it got worse. Now, I wasn't there, nor was I even alive, so I am not going to speculate too much about this. It seems like some members wanted to control the business aspect of the band and keep the music "commercial". Some other members started dabbling with mind-altering substances and kinda went into an experimental tailspin. Mike was in the former group; Brian in the latter. So that is what makes that part of the movie so interesting to me. It is the meeting of "sanity" and temporary insanity. Two different paths to the same, beautiful destination.
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