Good Vibrations

My Life as a Beach Boy

De: Mike Love, James S. Hirsch

Narrado por: Mike Love

Duración: 15 h y 7 m

Resumen del Editor

The New York Times best seller.

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 55 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 11 of the 12 original Beach Boy songs that were top 10 hits while providing the lead vocals on 10 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.

©2016 Mike Love (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"This memoir is a marvelous listening experience.... [Mike Love's] delivery is steady, thoughtful, sincere, and occasionally emotional as well. His mellow tone, while quite slow and deliberate, is reminiscent of the idealized laid-back California lifestyle the Beach Boys sang about." (AudioFile)

“More than a half-century’s worth of inside information about the Beach Boys.” (The New York Times)

“Riveting...fascinating...how the music transcended the story and spread California sunshine around the globe.... Love is able to articulate the depth of his feelings for the music in a way that will send fans back to their stereos to crank up ‘Surfin’ U.S.A.’ and ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’ and ‘The Warmth of the Sun’ whether they have an ocean handy or not.” (Sarah Rodman, Los Angeles Times)

Mike Love

Mike has a great memory but terrible diction.
I've been spoiled by better oraters.
otherwise this is a good memoir. slanted but good.

I’ll always love The Beach Boys

Interesting synopsis of the band and its history. Might have been better off with a trained professional narration but I could appreciate Mike’s emotion at certain parts. A shame there were so many lawsuits and wasted funds on lawyers from all parties. I hate the fact that Mike and Al Jardine remain so estranged. Money and power do amazing things to people, there was enough good to give to everyone and it’s too bad there were so many bad and bitter feelings that will likely go to their graves. At times, the book felt very defensive from Mike’s position, as though he was the only “pure” player in all the bitter disputes. That’s hard to believe, but I would agree that he was due far more credit for the success of The Beach Boys catalog than he was given at the time. The last time I saw The Beach Boys in concert was 2019 in Sarasota. I saw Bruce J before the show and joked that they’d have to rename the band The Beach Geezers pretty soon and that their first song would be “Get off my lawn”. They could still deliver though and put on a great great show. They’re music will be part of the playlist for generations to come.

Beach Boys Believer

This book was amazing. There were no filters and no hiding the history about the ups and downs of the Beach Boys. Having Mike Love read the story himself gave you a sense he was telling it to you personally. You could hear the emotions in his voice during the sad and happy times. I even cried a couple of times after hearing the sadness in his words. This was a great book that I will definitely listen to again, and again.

Amazingly Great

Mike Love is not a professional “ narrator “ but does a great down to earth and earnest reading of his life . This is a phenomenal story of a phenomenal band and it captures many insights into The Beach Boys. It shows the good, bad and the ugly aspects of the band and at times the exhausting legal and personal struggles they endured. Mike Love does a very thoughtful presentation. A great audible experience that reminds us that The Beach Boys are a tremendous part of music to this day.

Awesome, insightful, fun

I enjoyed every minute of this audiobook. It was insightful, deeply personal and great fun. Like the Beach Boys music.

So good to hear Mike’s side of the BB story!

I have a whole new respect for Mike Love and a wider and deeper appreciation for the music of The Beach Boys.

Compelling Narrative - Thoroughly Enjoyed It

I grew up on the Beach Boys, purchasing their records in the 70's and listening to them on cassette tapes on long trips to the beach through the 80's and beyond. Mike Love's narration may not be perfect, but I love hearing stories like these from the source. He's a tad on the slow side and he gets stuck every now and again, but I stayed with him through the entire book and was glad I did. Very fascinating story and well worth the purchase.

Mike Love's side of the story

There has been a lot said about Mike Love and his role in The Beach Boys history, much of it less than flattering. Finally we get to hear his side of the story, by him! He doesn't hold back. I thought I knew it all but in reality I knew very little and learned a lot from this book. I look forward to listening to Brian Wilson's side when it is released in October. I'm glad these 2 books are being released so close together so the comparison will be fresh.

Mike did a fine job with the reading. I didn't totally dig the singing, but that's just my preference. It didn't ruin it for me by any means. Say what you will about Mike Love but if it wasn't for him I believe The Beach Boys would've been finished a long time ago. He's a great showman and they probably would not have caught my attention when I became a fan in the '80s if it hadn't been for his fun presence on stage. This book is well worth a listen or read. Make your own judgments, but only after you read the book.

The story of The Beach Boys by someone who was fully there

Mike Loves memoir of his life in The Beach Boys was very entertains and informative. I did not know that he had been the co writer of many of their hits. A truly remarkable life. Wilson and Love rank up there with Lennon and McCartney.

Fan Since Surfer Girl

Excellent story which provides a sincere insider's account of The Beach Boys. Highly recommend this book to all who love the beautiful songs of The Beach Boys.