Good Vibrations

My Life as a Beach Boy

De: Mike Love, James S. Hirsch

Narrado por: Mike Love

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)

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.

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.

This is, hands down the best book i have read.

Mike Love"s reading performance was remarkably personal and so touchoing...he made it feel like we are old friends and touched me in so nsny ways. He has had a remarkable life and i feel fortunate for the opportunity to know more about such an incredible talent and soul

A Class Act!

Thank you Mike Love for giving us this beautiful, yet sometimes tragic and painful memoir. This book is truly a page turner from the first utterance through the final page.

Amazing, a must read for any fan.

Really easy to listen, deep and from the heart. At times you can ear the emotion in Mike's voice when he talked about Brian. The deep hurt he felt beeing kept apart from his cousin, his friend, his partner, co-conspirator and fellow creator with whom he could let the good stuff flow to craft amazing musical gems.

It was refreshing to ear Mike's story of what happened with all the drama he's been accused of. In my opinion, it makes no doubt that more fan should know these facts instead of simply believing that he's the man to blame for every bad things that happened.

For all the music, the memories, the shows and this great life story, thank you Mike Love.

Just like sitting with Mike Love

Where does Good Vibrations rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Better than most...I love having Mike Love tell stories in his voice...just like sitting with him and having him tell you his memories about his family and The Beach Boys....

What other book might you compare Good Vibrations to and why?

Troublemaker...Leah Remini ...in her voice she tells her story ...

What does Mike Love bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mike adds some singing a line or two from a song he wrote with Brian Wilson and you feel like you were really there.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes...when his family begins to die...Mike is 74 and really tells you about all his losses..and I loved his memories about his Christmas traditions...

Any additional comments?

Both books are great...but I really enjoyed the Audible better....because Mike is a performer and it never gets old...it just is fascinating....

Best Memoir I've Ever Read

From the first chapter to the last, Mike Love takes you on his personal journey of his life as a Beach Boy. His honesty, on all fronts, is refreshing, entertaining, and at times pulls at your heartstrings. A beautifully-crafted story of his life and a great behind the scenes look of America's band; The Beach Boys.