Mike Love (born March 15, 1941) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and activist who is a member and co-founder of the Beach Boys. For most of the Beach Boys’ career, Love has been one of the band’s lyricists, contributing to each of their studio albums. In the 1960s, Love collaborated with Brian Wilson and was a lyricist on singles including “Fun, Fun, Fun” and “California Girls”. During this period, his lyrics primarily reflected the youth culture of surfing, cars, and romance, which has been described by writers as having helped fashion pop culture’s perception of the “California Dream”. Love’s work during this period also assumed elements of melancholy with examples being “The Warmth of the Sun” — written the day of John F. Kennedy’s assassination — and “I’m Waiting for the Day” from Pet Sounds. (More from Wikipedia)
In addition to Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heart, there are a host of Wilsons who have made popular music over the years. The Beach Boys – “America’s band” according to no less than President Ronald Reagan (whose middle name is Wilson, come to think of it) – was founded in 1961 by Brian Wilson, his brothers Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, and their cousin Mike Love; Al Jardine was the one original bandmember not in the family. Another Nancy Wilson is a top-notch jazz vocalist who started in the 1960’s and frequently crossed over to the R&B and rock charts. Mary Wilson was one of the founding members of the Supremes; the story of the other bandmembers being eclipsed by lead singer Diana Ross formed the main storyline for the Broadway musical Dreamgirls that later made Jennifer Hudson a star in the film version, Dreamgirls. Then there are R&B singers Jackie Wilson and Wilson Pickett, country star Gretchen Wilson, comedian and chef Justin Wilson, and many others.
(November 2013)
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There is also a rare surf song on the Pebbles, Volume 4 LP having a female lead, called “Thinkin’ ’Bout You Baby” by Sharon Marie. Another (from Born Bad, Vol. 6) is “Yum Yum Yamaha” by Carol Connors and the Cycles; Carol Connors co-wrote the hit song by the Rip Chords, “Hey Little Cobra”. “Little Honda” by the Hondells (written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love of the Beach Boys) honored a different brand of Japanese motorcycle and was a Top Ten hit in 1964.
(December 2014)
