- Album list
- Singer Intro
Michael Edward Love (born March 15, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who co-founded the Beach Boys. Characterized by his nasal, sometimes baritone singing, Love has been one of the band's vocalists and lyricists for most of their career, contributing to each of their studio albums. He is often regarded as a malign figure in the band's history, a reputation he acknowledges: 'For those who believe that Brian [Wilson] walks on water, I will always be the Antichrist.'
In the 1960s, Love collaborated with Wilson and was a lyricist on singles including 'Fun, Fun, Fun' (1964), 'California Girls' (1965), and 'Good Vibrations' (1966). During this period, his lyrics primarily reflected the youth culture of surfing, cars, and romance, which helped fashion pop culture's perception of the 'California Dream'. However, many of Love's contributions were not legally recognized until he successfully sued for writing credits decades later. Starting in 1968, Love became a teacher of Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The experience influenced his lyrics to take on themes of astrology, meditation, politics and ecology. Following this, Love's lyrical direction shifted to attempt to recapture the band's earlier, lighthearted sound. In the late 1970s, Love began working on solo albums, releasing his first in 1981: Looking Back with Love. In 1988, he, along with the other founding members of the Beach Boys, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The same year, the song, 'Kokomo', co-written by Love, reached number one in the United States and was nominated for a Grammy.
In 1998, following the death of cousin Carl Wilson, Love was given an exclusive license to tour under the name the Beach Boys. The other surviving Beach Boys, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, embarked on solo endeavors. In 2011, the group reunited to produce a new album and embark on a tour for their 50th anniversary. Following the 50th anniversary reunion shows, Love resumed touring only with Johnston.
Discography
Studio albums
1981: Looking Back with Love
2017: Unleash the Love
With Celebration
1978: Almost Summer: Music from the Original Motion Picture Score
1979: Celebration
1979: Disco Celebration
Other albums
1996: Catch a Wave
1998: Salute NASCAR (with Bruce Johnston and David Marks)
2001: Summertime Cruisin (with Bruce Johnston)
Singles
1967: 'Gettin' Hungry' (with Brian Wilson)
1978: 'Almost Summer' (with Celebration) - #28 Billboard Hot 100
1978: 'It's Ok' (Celebration) Featuring Mike Love)
1981: 'Looking Back With Love'
1981: 'Runnin' Around The World'
1982: 'Be My Baby'
1982: 'Be True To Your Bud' (with Dean Torrence)
1982: 'Da Doo Ron Ron'
1983: 'Jingle Bell Rock' (with Dean Torrence)
2006: 'Santa's Goin' To Kokomo'
2007: 'Hungry Heart'
2015: '(You'll Never Be) Alone on Christmas Day'
2017: 'Do It Again' (with Mark McGrath & John Stamos)
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