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Good Vibrations

My Life as a Beach Boy
Jan 08, 2018vickmeister rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The Beach Boys, the feel-good California rock band who hit the airwaves in the early 60s and made kids everywhere want to surf, have remained a continual favorite for decades. Their story has often been told, as that of the band of brothers led by a tormented genius and browbeaten to early success by their jealous father, who then screwed them over. The tale of the Beach Boys is so much more than that, and this time Mike Love, front man and cousin of the Wilson brothers, takes his turn. In this even-handed retelling of his experience with the band, Love seeks to set straight old rumors and falsehoods that have become cemented as reality, and shares his experience as a songwriter who could come up with the clever hooks and catchy lyrics, but was overshadowed in the perpetuation of the myth of the singular genius of Brian Wilson. Love does a good job of stating his side of the story in an honest fashion, admitting his own mistakes while sharing his frustration at how he was treated at the hands of the music industry and the greediness of others. An enjoyable read.