Mike Love American musician, singer and songwriter Date of Birth: 15.03.1941 Country: USA

1. Biography of Mike Love
2. Family and Personal Life
3. Music Career
4. Later Career and Philanthropy

Biography of Mike Love

Mike Love, born Michael Edward 'Mike' Love, on March 15, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as one of the founding members of the iconic rock band 'The Beach Boys'. Love formed the group in 1961 with his cousins Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson, as well as their friend Al Jardine.

Family and Personal Life

Love's parents are Emily Glee Wilson and Edwin Milton Love. He has a younger brother, NBA player Stan Love, and a sister, Maureen Love, who is a harpist for the chamber orchestra 'Pink Martini'. Love has been married five times and has three children from different marriages. Interestingly, Love is known for always wearing a hat in public.

Music Career

Initially playing the saxophone in the band, Love soon became the secondary lead vocalist, sharing lead duties with Brian Wilson. His singing style was heavily influenced by rhythm and blues, as he attended Dorsey High, a predominantly African-American school, and listened to two local rhythm and blues radio stations. While Brian Wilson preferred to perform the group's early ballads, Love excelled in rock and roll compositions, many of which became the band's most notable hits. Some of these include 'Surfin' Safari', 'Surfin' USA', 'Shut Down', 'Little Deuce Coupe', 'Be True to Your School', 'Little Saint Nick', 'Fun, Fun, Fun', 'I Get Around', 'When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)', 'Little Honda', 'Dance, Dance, Dance', and 'California Girls'.

Over time, as other members of 'The Beach Boys' started taking on lead vocals, the number of Love's vocal parts decreased. However, his distinctive voice remained one of the most recognizable voices of the group, partially due to his nasal tone in songs like 'Do It Again'. He also gained recognition for his bass vocals in 'I Can Hear Music' and 'Good Vibrations'. Brian Wilson once said that only Love and Carl Wilson had voices "touched by God" among all the band members.

During live performances, Love took on the role of the emcee, introducing songs and band members. He also co-wrote many of the group's lyrics, mainly focusing on themes of sun, sea, surfing, cars, and love. One of his most famous compositions is 'The Warmth of the Sun'. In the 1990s, Love initiated and won a legal battle to be recognized as a co-writer of many of the band's hits, receiving a $13 million reward.

Later Career and Philanthropy

Love was one of the early adopters of transcendental meditation, thanks to his encounters with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He accompanied 'The Beatles', Donovan, Prudence Farrow, and Mia Farrow on their famous trip to the Maharishi's ashram in India in early 1968. Currently, Mike Love continues to tour with 'The Beach Boys', although the lineup has changed significantly and now consists of Love, Bruce Johnston, and several other musicians.

Love has made several attempts to pursue a solo career outside of 'The Beach Boys' since the mid-70s. He has released solo albums, but they achieved moderate popularity and limited commercial success. Additionally, Love frequently collaborates with other musicians. He is also actively involved in charity work, with a particular focus on supporting the research foundation for childhood diabetes.