Mike Love
Inductee
Inducted
GRAMMY Winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member, Michael Edward Love, grew up under the Southern California sun where he soaked up a life of music, surf, sand and sport. Beginning his singing career as a young boy, Love along with his cousin, Brian Wilson, frequently sang at family get-togethers and holiday gatherings. These early experiences served as the inspiration and foundation to form the legendary group, The Beach Boys, which originally consisted of Love and his cousins, Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson along with neighbor David Marks and High School friend Alan Jardine.
In the fall of 1961, Love wrote the lyrics and melody to The Beach Boys' first song, "Surfin'," and subsequently penned the words to “Surfin' Safari” and “409,” which led to the signing of the band by Capitol Records. Following the song’s debut, Love, went on to co-author numerous hits, including eleven Top 10 singles in the first five years of the band. Hit after hit, Love created many of the concepts, and wrote or co-wrote the lyrics and hooks to several of the most performed songs in pop music history including "Good Vibrations," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "I Get Around," "Surfin' Safari," "Help Me Rhonda," "Do It Again," "Kokomo,” “Surfin' USA” and the incomparable "California Girls,"
For more than fifty years, Love has been the lead singer and front man of The Beach Boys, taking the sounds of America's band to every corner of the globe. His distinctive and iconic vocal range is synonymous with fast-paced rock 'n' roll tracks, as well as many of the band’s softer ballads. Love’s vocal versatility is central to many of the bands signature hits including: "Surfin' U.S.A.," "I Get Around," "California Girls," "Little Deuce Coupe," "Be True to Your School," "Little Saint Nick," "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "That's Not Me,” and “Wouldn't It Be Nice” from the Pet Sounds album. Beyond his unique persona and sound as the lead singer, Love's dynamic bass vocals provided the foundation of the group and anchored the legendary Beach Boys harmonies. His voice is a style of its own. Love combines his steady bass/baritone with a whimsical intonation— indicative of the ultra-cool, self-confidence and innocence of the early 1960s.
In December of 1967, The Beach Boys were invited to Paris to perform at a benefit for UNICEF. The curtain opened to a very distinguished front row including Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, George Harrison and John Lennon. At Maharishi's invitation, Love, along with Carl, Alan and Dennis were initiated into the practice of Transcendental Meditation. Love was profoundly affected by the first meditation experience, stating, "If enough people were to practice TM, the world would be a better place." He continues to practice TM today and supports organizations such as the David Lynch Foundation, which promote the vast benefits of Transcendental Meditation.
In 1985, Love had an idea to perform two shows to celebrate July 4th: The Beach Boys would play Philadelphia during the day and the Washington D.C. Mall later that evening. This resulted in record breaking attendance— with The Beach Boys performing live for over 1.5 million people in a single day.
In 1988, Love and the other members of The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That same year, Love co-wrote the #1 hit "Kokomo," with John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas, and producer Terry Melcher. This was 22 years after Love co-authored the Beach Boys' #1 hit of the 60's, "Good Vibrations,"— marking the longest span of time between number one records of any artist in music history. Both "Good Vibrations" and "Kokomo" were nominated for GRAMMY awards. "Kokomo" was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award. In 2001, the band was the recipient of the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 1990, Love was the first artist to respond to President George H. W. Bush's call for service as part of the Thousand Points of Light Initiative. Love began StarServe, "Students Taking Action and Responsibility to Serve," enlisting high profile celebrities to inspire young people to serve their communities. More than twenty years later, Love continues his commitment to young people. For his work in continued education, Love was the recipient of the 2013 Seven Generations Award by City Year, a national education organization that identifies at risk students and encourages them to reach their full potential through mentorship. Love is also a founding member of the Surfrider Foundation, and a longtime supporter of environmental causes. In 1992, Love was a speaker at the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro, and again on Earth Day 2000 on the Mall in Washington, D.C. In 2002, Love proudly carried the Olympic torch for the Salt Lake City, UT Olympic Games.
In 2012, Love, Brian Wilson, Jardine, Johnston, and Marks reunited for their 29th studio album, That's Why God Made The Radio, and The Beach Boys' 50th Anniversary Tour.
In 2013, The Beach Boys released a career-spanning, six-CD collection titled Made In California, which chronicled the band’s 50-year storied career from their earliest demos to their most recent recordings. Love executive-produced the new box set, which showcased more than seven and a half hours of Beach Boys classics and more than 60 previously unreleased gems including home demos, alternate takes and mixes and live concert, television and radio performances. The box set also featured an original, previously unreleased Beach Boys track “Goin’ To The Beach,” written by Love.
In 2014, Love debuted a solo single “Pisces Brothers” in tribute to The Beatles singer and his beloved friend, George Harrison. The track, which was released on George’s birthday, was inspired by the trip the two took to India in 1968.
The same year, Love received The Ella Award, a lifetime achievement award by the Society of Singers. He joined a prestigious array of honorees including Ella Fitzgerald, Smokey Robinson, Elton John, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Emceed by longtime friend John Stamos, the night was filled with one-of-a-kind performances and tributes from a host of legendary performers and artists, including Love’s fellow Beach Boys (Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston) and the children of The Beach Boys (including Carnie and Wendy Wilson), (Ambha Love, Christian Love) (Dennis son, Carl Wilson) (Matt Jardine) (Justyn Wilson) as well as music legends, Bill Medley, Dean Torrence, Micky Dolenz, Christopher Cross, America, Rita Wilson and David Lee Roth. In addition, a special note of congratulations by Nancy Reagan was received and shared with the audience. The award was formally presented to Love by his son, Brian Love.
Throughout his career, Love has co-authored more than a dozen Top 10 Singles, cementing The Beach Boys legacy, alongside The Beatles and Michael Jackson, as the only artists to have produced twelve Top 10 Singles, within 5 years.
Continuing to engage his fans with new and innovative projects, Love’s recent music projects include the single "This Too Shall Pass" featuring John Stamos, aimed at offering hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. The song followed Love’s album 12 Sides of Summer, featuring a mix of original songs, covers, and new versions of Beach Boys hits including “Surfin," "Surfin' Safari," and "It's Ok," featuring Hanson. “It’s Ok” marked Love's second recording with Hanson, after previously collaborating on "Finally It's Christmas" for Love's 2018 holiday album, Reason for the Season, which also features vocals from Love’s children: Ambha, Brian, Christian, and Hayleigh Love. Reason for the Season followed the debut of Love’s special double album Unleash the Love, featuring 13 previously unreleased songs and 14 re-recordings of Beach Boys classics.
In 2023, The Beach Boys were celebrated in the CBS tribute special “GRAMMY Salute to the Beach Boys,” featuring performances by a diverse array of artists, including Beck, Brandi Carlile, Michael McDonald, Pentatonix, St. Vincent, Weezer, Norah Jones, John Legend, and Mumford & Sons, among others.
2024 brought the release of the Disney+ documentary The Beach Boys, available for streaming now. This documentary celebrates the band’s revolutionary pop music and iconic California sound, featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with band members and music luminaries like Brian Wilson, Love, and Lindsey Buckingham. Directed by Frank Marshall and Thom Zimny, and written by Mark Monroe, it offers a comprehensive look at the band's legacy.
The official soundtrack for The Beach Boys, featuring songs from the film, is available to stream and download now via Capitol/UMe. In addition, several of the group’s most iconic albums are being reissued throughout the year as limited-edition color vinyl pressings, including their magnum opus, Pet Sounds, and their two 1964 classics, Shut Down, Vol. 2 and All Summer Long, in celebration of their 60th anniversaries.
The group’s official book, The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys, is now available via Genesis Publications. It chronicles their journey from a Hawthorne garage band to international fame, from their first single 'Surfin'' to their 1980 Independence Day concert at the National Mall.
The Beach Boys have been a significant presence at major events, including Live Aid and the Statue of Liberty’s 100th Anniversary Salute, showcasing their unparalleled ability to captivate audiences. Love's contributions as a songwriter, have produced timeless hits like “Surfin’,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “California Girls,” “Warmth of the Sun,” “Good Vibrations,” and a long list of other titles highlighting his enduring talent.
Love's philanthropy extends his influence far beyond the musical stage, demonstrating a deep commitment to giving back to the community. A GRAMMY winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Love has been at the forefront of numerous charitable efforts, using his platform to support a wide range of causes. In 1990, he responded to President George H. W. Bush's call for service by founding StarServe, an initiative aimed at motivating young people towards community service, showcasing his early commitment to philanthropy. His philanthropic efforts were recognized when he and his wife Jacquelyne received the prestigious Points of Light Award, highlighting his significant contributions to volunteer service and impacting lives across the globe. Through the Love Foundation, Love has supported initiatives focusing on education, health, environmental conservation, and disaster relief, showcasing a legacy of compassion and service alongside his storied musical career.
As The Beach Boys continue to make waves in music, co-founder and chief lyricist Mike Love’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through his co-founded venture, Club Kokomo Spirits. Recently, the company celebrated a significant achievement by securing two Double Gold medals at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its handcrafted Rum Spirits. This prestigious recognition highlights the dedication to quality and craftsmanship that Club Kokomo embodies, paralleling the enduring legacy of Mike Love & The Beach Boys’ music. Both the Artisanal White and Barrel Finished rums have been acclaimed for their exceptional flavors, much like the harmonious sounds that have defined The Beach Boys for generations. For more information on these award-winning spirits, visit Club Kokomo Spirits.
Today Love is happily married to Jacquelyne Love, and is the proud father of eight children. He primarily resides on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe
In the fall of 1961, Love wrote the lyrics and melody to The Beach Boys' first song, "Surfin'," and subsequently penned the words to “Surfin' Safari” and “409,” which led to the signing of the band by Capitol Records. Following the song’s debut, Love, went on to co-author numerous hits, including eleven Top 10 singles in the first five years of the band. Hit after hit, Love created many of the concepts, and wrote or co-wrote the lyrics and hooks to several of the most performed songs in pop music history including "Good Vibrations," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "I Get Around," "Surfin' Safari," "Help Me Rhonda," "Do It Again," "Kokomo,” “Surfin' USA” and the incomparable "California Girls,"
For more than fifty years, Love has been the lead singer and front man of The Beach Boys, taking the sounds of America's band to every corner of the globe. His distinctive and iconic vocal range is synonymous with fast-paced rock 'n' roll tracks, as well as many of the band’s softer ballads. Love’s vocal versatility is central to many of the bands signature hits including: "Surfin' U.S.A.," "I Get Around," "California Girls," "Little Deuce Coupe," "Be True to Your School," "Little Saint Nick," "When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "That's Not Me,” and “Wouldn't It Be Nice” from the Pet Sounds album. Beyond his unique persona and sound as the lead singer, Love's dynamic bass vocals provided the foundation of the group and anchored the legendary Beach Boys harmonies. His voice is a style of its own. Love combines his steady bass/baritone with a whimsical intonation— indicative of the ultra-cool, self-confidence and innocence of the early 1960s.
In December of 1967, The Beach Boys were invited to Paris to perform at a benefit for UNICEF. The curtain opened to a very distinguished front row including Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, George Harrison and John Lennon. At Maharishi's invitation, Love, along with Carl, Alan and Dennis were initiated into the practice of Transcendental Meditation. Love was profoundly affected by the first meditation experience, stating, "If enough people were to practice TM, the world would be a better place." He continues to practice TM today and supports organizations such as the David Lynch Foundation, which promote the vast benefits of Transcendental Meditation.
In 1985, Love had an idea to perform two shows to celebrate July 4th: The Beach Boys would play Philadelphia during the day and the Washington D.C. Mall later that evening. This resulted in record breaking attendance— with The Beach Boys performing live for over 1.5 million people in a single day.
In 1988, Love and the other members of The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That same year, Love co-wrote the #1 hit "Kokomo," with John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas, and producer Terry Melcher. This was 22 years after Love co-authored the Beach Boys' #1 hit of the 60's, "Good Vibrations,"— marking the longest span of time between number one records of any artist in music history. Both "Good Vibrations" and "Kokomo" were nominated for GRAMMY awards. "Kokomo" was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award. In 2001, the band was the recipient of the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 1990, Love was the first artist to respond to President George H. W. Bush's call for service as part of the Thousand Points of Light Initiative. Love began StarServe, "Students Taking Action and Responsibility to Serve," enlisting high profile celebrities to inspire young people to serve their communities. More than twenty years later, Love continues his commitment to young people. For his work in continued education, Love was the recipient of the 2013 Seven Generations Award by City Year, a national education organization that identifies at risk students and encourages them to reach their full potential through mentorship. Love is also a founding member of the Surfrider Foundation, and a longtime supporter of environmental causes. In 1992, Love was a speaker at the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro, and again on Earth Day 2000 on the Mall in Washington, D.C. In 2002, Love proudly carried the Olympic torch for the Salt Lake City, UT Olympic Games.
In 2012, Love, Brian Wilson, Jardine, Johnston, and Marks reunited for their 29th studio album, That's Why God Made The Radio, and The Beach Boys' 50th Anniversary Tour.
In 2013, The Beach Boys released a career-spanning, six-CD collection titled Made In California, which chronicled the band’s 50-year storied career from their earliest demos to their most recent recordings. Love executive-produced the new box set, which showcased more than seven and a half hours of Beach Boys classics and more than 60 previously unreleased gems including home demos, alternate takes and mixes and live concert, television and radio performances. The box set also featured an original, previously unreleased Beach Boys track “Goin’ To The Beach,” written by Love.
In 2014, Love debuted a solo single “Pisces Brothers” in tribute to The Beatles singer and his beloved friend, George Harrison. The track, which was released on George’s birthday, was inspired by the trip the two took to India in 1968.
The same year, Love received The Ella Award, a lifetime achievement award by the Society of Singers. He joined a prestigious array of honorees including Ella Fitzgerald, Smokey Robinson, Elton John, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Emceed by longtime friend John Stamos, the night was filled with one-of-a-kind performances and tributes from a host of legendary performers and artists, including Love’s fellow Beach Boys (Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston) and the children of The Beach Boys (including Carnie and Wendy Wilson), (Ambha Love, Christian Love) (Dennis son, Carl Wilson) (Matt Jardine) (Justyn Wilson) as well as music legends, Bill Medley, Dean Torrence, Micky Dolenz, Christopher Cross, America, Rita Wilson and David Lee Roth. In addition, a special note of congratulations by Nancy Reagan was received and shared with the audience. The award was formally presented to Love by his son, Brian Love.
Throughout his career, Love has co-authored more than a dozen Top 10 Singles, cementing The Beach Boys legacy, alongside The Beatles and Michael Jackson, as the only artists to have produced twelve Top 10 Singles, within 5 years.
Continuing to engage his fans with new and innovative projects, Love’s recent music projects include the single "This Too Shall Pass" featuring John Stamos, aimed at offering hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. The song followed Love’s album 12 Sides of Summer, featuring a mix of original songs, covers, and new versions of Beach Boys hits including “Surfin," "Surfin' Safari," and "It's Ok," featuring Hanson. “It’s Ok” marked Love's second recording with Hanson, after previously collaborating on "Finally It's Christmas" for Love's 2018 holiday album, Reason for the Season, which also features vocals from Love’s children: Ambha, Brian, Christian, and Hayleigh Love. Reason for the Season followed the debut of Love’s special double album Unleash the Love, featuring 13 previously unreleased songs and 14 re-recordings of Beach Boys classics.
In 2023, The Beach Boys were celebrated in the CBS tribute special “GRAMMY Salute to the Beach Boys,” featuring performances by a diverse array of artists, including Beck, Brandi Carlile, Michael McDonald, Pentatonix, St. Vincent, Weezer, Norah Jones, John Legend, and Mumford & Sons, among others.
2024 brought the release of the Disney+ documentary The Beach Boys, available for streaming now. This documentary celebrates the band’s revolutionary pop music and iconic California sound, featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with band members and music luminaries like Brian Wilson, Love, and Lindsey Buckingham. Directed by Frank Marshall and Thom Zimny, and written by Mark Monroe, it offers a comprehensive look at the band's legacy.
The official soundtrack for The Beach Boys, featuring songs from the film, is available to stream and download now via Capitol/UMe. In addition, several of the group’s most iconic albums are being reissued throughout the year as limited-edition color vinyl pressings, including their magnum opus, Pet Sounds, and their two 1964 classics, Shut Down, Vol. 2 and All Summer Long, in celebration of their 60th anniversaries.
The group’s official book, The Beach Boys by The Beach Boys, is now available via Genesis Publications. It chronicles their journey from a Hawthorne garage band to international fame, from their first single 'Surfin'' to their 1980 Independence Day concert at the National Mall.
The Beach Boys have been a significant presence at major events, including Live Aid and the Statue of Liberty’s 100th Anniversary Salute, showcasing their unparalleled ability to captivate audiences. Love's contributions as a songwriter, have produced timeless hits like “Surfin’,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “California Girls,” “Warmth of the Sun,” “Good Vibrations,” and a long list of other titles highlighting his enduring talent.
Love's philanthropy extends his influence far beyond the musical stage, demonstrating a deep commitment to giving back to the community. A GRAMMY winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Love has been at the forefront of numerous charitable efforts, using his platform to support a wide range of causes. In 1990, he responded to President George H. W. Bush's call for service by founding StarServe, an initiative aimed at motivating young people towards community service, showcasing his early commitment to philanthropy. His philanthropic efforts were recognized when he and his wife Jacquelyne received the prestigious Points of Light Award, highlighting his significant contributions to volunteer service and impacting lives across the globe. Through the Love Foundation, Love has supported initiatives focusing on education, health, environmental conservation, and disaster relief, showcasing a legacy of compassion and service alongside his storied musical career.
As The Beach Boys continue to make waves in music, co-founder and chief lyricist Mike Love’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through his co-founded venture, Club Kokomo Spirits. Recently, the company celebrated a significant achievement by securing two Double Gold medals at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its handcrafted Rum Spirits. This prestigious recognition highlights the dedication to quality and craftsmanship that Club Kokomo embodies, paralleling the enduring legacy of Mike Love & The Beach Boys’ music. Both the Artisanal White and Barrel Finished rums have been acclaimed for their exceptional flavors, much like the harmonious sounds that have defined The Beach Boys for generations. For more information on these award-winning spirits, visit Club Kokomo Spirits.
Today Love is happily married to Jacquelyne Love, and is the proud father of eight children. He primarily resides on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe