Mike Love refuses to be blamed for Beach Boys break-up

Following reports last year that he fired his original Beach Boys bandmates, Mike Love has spoken out saying that not all was how it seemed or subsequently perceived.

Talking to Billboard recently, the inheritor of the band’s trademarked name has passed the blame for disagreements which led to original members Brian Wilson, David Marks and Al Jardine all being relieved of their touring duties. Instead he says that the reunion didn’t turn out how it was originally planned or agreed.

“I talked to Brian about a year before we even started doing any of the recording for .He and I talked about doing a project and he was excited about doing it, but it never came to fruition at all. It was given another direction — not by me and not by Brian but by others.”

He continues: “We were supposed to be allowed to get together to write songs from scratch like we did in the 60s, but that was never to be, and that wasn’t because of me. So I think there are issues related to that whole thing. It was great to be in the studio and listen to those harmonies coming back, but it wasn’t the opportunity it was supposed to be, which I’m upset about.”

When asked if the founding members could reunite again, Love seems adamant that things would need to be handled differently first.

“It will happen only if I can do it with people who I trusted and liked and were honorable. I have no problem with my cousin Brian (Wilson) and I in a room with a piano, but it’s not that uncomplicated.”

You can read the full interview here.