Love is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965. Led by Arthur Lee, the band's primary songwriter, they were one of the first racially diverse American rock bands. Their sound incorporated an eclectic range of styles including garage, folk rock, and psychedelia.[2] While finding only modest success on the music charts, peaking in 1966 with their US No. 33 hit "7 and 7 Is," Love would come to be praised by critics as their third album, Forever Changes (1967), became generally regarded as one of the best albums of the 1960s.
The band's classic lineup is considered to consist of Lee, the guitarist and singer Bryan MacLean, the bassist Ken Forssi, the guitarist Johnny Echols and the drummer Donnie Conca, who was replaced by Alban "Snoopy" Pfisterer. By 1968, only Lee remained and he continued recording as Love with varied members through the 1970s. MacLean and Forssi died in 1998. Lee died in 2006. Forever Changes was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry in 2011.[6] In recent years, original member Johnny Echols has toured under the title of the Love Band or Love Revisited.[7][8]
History
Formation and early years
Singer/multi-instrumentalist Arthur Lee, who was originally from Memphis, Tennessee but had lived in Los Angeles since the age of five, had been recording since 1963 with his bands the LAG's and Lee's American Four. He wrote and produced the single "My Diary" for Rosa Lee Brooks in 1964, which featured Jimi Hendrix on guitar.[9]The Sons Of Adam, which included future Love drummer Michael Stuart, recorded the Lee composition "Feathered Fish". After attending a performance by the Byrds, Lee decided to form a band that joined the newly minted folk-rock sound of the Byrds to his primarily rhythm and blues style.[10]
Singer/guitarist Bryan MacLean, who had met Lee when he was working as a roadie for The Byrds, joined Lee's new band, which was first called the Grass Roots. MacLean had also been playing in bands around Los Angeles since about 1963.[11][12] Also joining the band was another Memphis native, lead guitarist Johnny Echols, and drummer Don Conka. A short time later, Conka was replaced by Alban "Snoopy" Pfisterer. Love's first bassist, Johnny Fleckenstein, went on to join the Standells in 1967. Fleckenstein was replaced by Ken Forssi (formerly of a post-"Wipe Out" lineup of The Surfaris).[13] Upon the appearance of another group called The Grass Roots, Lee changed the name of the new band to Love.[10]
Love started playing the Los Angeles clubs in April 1965 and became a popular local attraction, while gaining the attention of the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds.[13] The band lived communally in a house called "the Castle", a large but run-down residence sourced by Ronnie Haran.[14] It was a dilapidated mansion that the band was allowed to live in if they did the maintenance and paid the taxes. According to John Einarson in the book "Forever Changes", the cover photo of their first two albums was of the band taken in Laurel Canyon at a burned down house that only had the remains of a fireplace left standing.
Signed to Elektra Records as the label's first rock act,[15] the band scored a minor hit single in 1966 with their version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "My Little Red Book". Their first album, Love, was released in March 1966. The album sold moderately well and reached No.57 on the Billboard 200chart.[10] The single "7 and 7 Is", released in July 1966, gained notice for the exceptional guitar work of Johnny Echols and proto-punk style drumming of Pfisterer. The single became Love's highest-charting single at No.33 in the Billboard Hot 100.[10] Two more members were added around this time, Tjay Cantrelli (real name John Barbieri) on woodwinds and Michael Stuart on drums. Pfisterer, never a confident drummer, switched to harpsichord.[13] Elektra's art director, William S. Harvey, designed a distinctive logo for the band, "four cartoonish letters with exaggerated, curvaceous serifs", incorporating male and female symbols.[16]
Arthur Lee had an exclusive contract with Herb Cohen for a short time after signing with Elektra Records. After Lee met Ronnie Haran, booking manager for the Whisky a Go Go, Cohen was fired by Arthur in favor of Haran.[17] Haran continued to manage Love, despite not having an official contract, for a couple years. Mike Gruber took over after Haran departed as manager, though Haran remained somewhat involved with the group.[17]
Love's second album, Da Capo, was released in November 1966 and included "7 and 7 Is" as well as the subsequent singles "She Comes in Colors" and "¡Que Vida!".[18] It marked the experimental direction Arthur wanted to take. With the seven member lineup for DaCapo, shortly after this album, Cantrelli and Pfisterer left the band, leaving it as a five-piece once again.[10] Their third album Forever Changes was released in November 1967 and was co-produced by Bruce Botnick.[19] The album displayed a softer and more avant-garde approach for the band.[20] By this time, tension arose between Arthur Lee and Bryan MacLean, who wanted more of his songs on the album.[12] The band recorded the album in only 64 hours, though many professional session players were used, including some who replaced actual band members in one or two songs.[21] Writer Richard Meltzer, in his book The Aesthetics of Rock, commented on Love's "orchestral moves", "post-doper word contraction cuteness", and Lee's vocal style that serves as a "reaffirmation of Johnny Mathis".[22]Forever Changes had one single, MacLean's "Alone Again Or", which reached number 123 on the pop charts. By this stage, Love were far more popular in the UK, where the album reached No.24, than in their home country, where it could only reach No.154.[10]Forever Changes has since received recognition as one of the greatest rock albums of all time, appearing on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time,[23] being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry in 2011.[24]
Later years
For unclear reasons, Bryan MacLean left the band after Forever Changes[11] (though one possible issue was a solo deal that he had signed with Elektra[25]), while Lee dismissed all the other members.[13] MacLean later reemerged as a Contemporary Christian artist.[11] Johnny Echols and Ken Forssi succumbed to drug addiction and crime, and disappeared from the music scene;[26] and drummer Michael Stuart also retired from music.[14] Echols eventually moved to New York and became an in-demand studio musician.[27]
Arthur Lee, as the only remaining member, convened a new lineup of Love with Jay Donnellan (soon replaced by Gary Rowles) on guitar, Frank Fayad on bass, and George Suranovich on drums. This lineup played in a blues rock style, as opposed to the folk-rock and psychedelic styles of the band's previous incarnation. The new lineup never garnered the widespread acceptance or acclaim of the original group.[13] Three albums were released by various permutations of this lineup: Four Sail (1969), Out Here (1969), and False Start (1970).[10] The last featured a guest appearance by Jimi Hendrix.[28] Another album by this incarnation of the band was recorded in 1971, but the material was not released until 2009 on the compilation album Love Lost.[29] Arthur Lee released the solo album Vindicator in 1972.[30] Another lost Love album titled Black Beauty was recorded in 1973 by a new lineup featuring guitarist Melvan Whittington, bassist Robert Rozelle, and drummer Joe Blocker, but Arthur Lee's record label went out of business before it was released. The album was finally released by High Moon Records in 2012.[31] The final official Love album, Reel to Real (1974), was recorded by Lee and session musicians.[32] It features the track "Everybody's Gotta Live", which was previously recorded by Lee for Vindicator.[33][34]
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, there were various attempts to reunite the original Love lineup. At the suggestion of late-period guitarist John Sterling, Arthur Lee and Bryan MacLean reunited for one show in 1978, which was recorded and released as Love Live in 1980.[13] Material from Out Here plus four previously unreleased live tracks was released as Studio/Live in 1982.[13] Arthur Lee was largely inactive in the 1980s and only made sporadic onstage appearances with pickup bands.[9]
Lee reemerged in 1992 with a new album titled Five String Serenade, released under the name Arthur Lee & Love.[35] The album's title track was later covered by Mazzy Star.[36] Lee then returned to semi-regular performing, often backed by the band Baby Lemonade.[37] In 1995, Rhino Records released the compilation Love Story, a two-disc set with extensive liner notes which chronicled the band's 1966–1972 period.[38]
Ken Forssi, bassist for the classic Love lineup, died of a suspected brain tumor at age 54 on January 5, 1998.[26] Bryan MacLean died of a heart attack at age 52 on December 25, 1998, while having dinner with a young fan who was researching a book about Love.[39] Arthur Lee was in prison when both of these former bandmates died.[40]
Reformation and reunions
After spending six years in prison from 1995 to 2001 for firearms offenses, Lee began touring under the name Love with Arthur Lee, with the members of Baby Lemonade rounding out the lineup.[41] In 2002 Michael Stuart (now known as Michael Stuart-Ware), the drummer on the Love albums Da Capo and Forever Changes, wrote the acclaimed book Behind the Scenes on the Pegasus Carousel with the Legendary Rock Group Love.[42]
Nils Lofgren performing at the Beacon Theatre Benefit For Arthur Lee, June 23, 2006
Johnny Echols joined Lee's latest group for a special Forever Changes 35th Anniversary performance in the spring of 2003 and again for tours in 2004 and 2005.[38] Due to Arthur Lee's battle with acute myeloid leukemia, the details of which were not known by the band at the time, he could not participate in the final tour in 2005. Since no one knew of his illness, Lee's decision to forgo the final tour was met with confused reactions.[9] The remaining members of the band, led by Echols, continued to perform without Lee, under the name The Love Band.[38]
Michael Stuart-Ware and Johnny Echols performed with Baby Lemonade at Hollywood's Whisky A Go-Go on June 28, 2006, in a benefit concert for Arthur Lee. The show included guest appearances by Robert Plant and Nils Lofgren. Lee died of acute myeloid leukemia on August 3, 2006, at age 61.[9]
In 2009, a reformed version of Love, featuring Johnny Echols, members of Baby Lemonade, and Probyn Gregory of the Wondermints, toured the United States and Canada. Michael Stuart-Ware was listed as a member of this act for a time in 2009. The group continued to tour sporadically in the following years under the name the Love Band featuring Johnny Echols. This group completed a 'farewell tour' of the UK in 2019,[43] but continues to perform in the U.S. as LOVE-Revisited.[8] In November 2021, they announced that they would again tour in the UK in 2022, and at some shows would play the whole of their first two albums, Love and Da Capo, in their entirety, as well as Forever Changes.[44]
Influence
Love was the popular underground group in L.A. at that time, and we figured, well, if they went on Elektra, it must be a good label ... I think it was sad about Love, they were incredible, well, it's really Arthur Lee, I suppose, because... although the first Love group was a very, very great group. But I don't think they were willing to travel, and to go through all the games and numbers that you have to do to get it out to a large number of people. If they'd done that, I think they could have been as big as anyone. And someday they will. – Jim Morrison, 1970[45]
Today, Love's critical reputation exceeds the limited success they experienced during their time;[13] their 1967 album Forever Changes is held in particularly high regard and often appears on lists of the best rock albums of all time.[46] During their late-1960s heyday, the Rolling Stones and the Doors were known to be Love fans.[14] Many bands of the 1990s that were influenced by psychedelic rock list Love as a major inspiration,[47] such as Primal Scream,[48]The Stone Roses,[49] and The Jesus and Mary Chain.[48]Robert Plant cites Forever Changes as one of his favorite albums.[50]
Members
Current members
classic lineup members are in bold
Johnny Echols – lead guitar, occasional vocals (1965–68, 2002–present)
Rusty Squeezebox (born David Ramsey[51])– guitar, vocals (1994–present)
Mike Randle – guitar (1994–present)
David "Daddy O" Green – drums (1994–present)
James Nolte – bass guitar (2021–present)
Former members
classic lineup members are in bold
Arthur Lee – songwriter, vocals, guitar, piano, percussion, harmonica (1965–75, 1978, 1982, 1992–2006; his death)
Love Lost (2009, compilation of recordings for unreleased 1971 album)
Black Beauty (2012, compilation of recordings for unreleased 1973 album)
Related Research Articles
Forever Changes is the third studio album by the American rock band Love, released on November 1, 1967, by Elektra Records. The album saw the group embrace a subtler folk-influenced sound based around acoustic guitars and orchestral arrangements, while primary songwriter Arthur Lee explored darker themes alluding to mortality and his growing disillusionment with the era's counterculture. It was the final album recorded by the original band lineup; after its completion, guitarist Bryan MacLean left the group acrimoniously, and Lee subsequently dismissed the other members.
Faster Pussycat is an American glam metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1985 by vocalist Taime Downe, guitarists Greg Steele and Brent Muscat and bassist Kelly Nickels. The group has since gone through numerous lineup changes leaving Downe as the only constant member. They broke up in 1993, but reformed in 2001. Faster Pussycat has released four studio albums to date: Faster Pussycat (1987), Wake Me When It's Over (1989), Whipped! (1992) and The Power and the Glory Hole (2006). They were a successful and influential hard rock band during the late 1980s and early 1990s, having sold over two million records worldwide.
Kenneth Raymond Forssi was an American musician, best known as the original bass player in the band Love.
Arthur Taylor Lee was an American musician, singer and songwriter who rose to fame as the leader of the Los Angeles rock band Love. Love's 1967 album Forever Changes was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and it is part of the National Recording Registry.
"Hey Joe" is an American song from the 1960s that has become a rock standard and has been performed in many musical styles by hundreds of different artists. The lyrics tell of a man who is on the run and planning to head to Mexico after shooting his unfaithful wife. In 1962, Billy Roberts registered "Hey Joe" for copyright in the United States.
Da Capo is the second studio album by American rock band Love, released in November 1966 by Elektra Records. The album was recorded during September and October 1966 at RCA Studios in Hollywood, California, with the exception of lead single "7 and 7 Is", recorded the previous June. The single was a departure for the band and became their highest charting, reaching No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite the success of "7 and 7 Is", a string of well received live performances at the time and contemporary critical acclaim for the album upon its release, it peaked at No. 80 on the Billboard 200.
Love is the debut album by the Los Angeles-based rock band Love; released in March 1966 by Elektra Records.
Four Sail is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Love, released in 1969 by Elektra Records.
"Alone Again Or" is a song originally recorded in 1967 by the rock group Love and written by band member Bryan MacLean. It appears on the album Forever Changes, and was released as a single in the USA, UK, Australia, France and the Netherlands.
Bryan Andrew MacLean was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter, best known for his work with the influential rock band Love. His famous compositions for Love include "Alone Again Or", "Old Man" and "Orange Skies".
Vince Flaherty is an American producer, recording artist, writer, and political activist.
Bobbie Clarke was an English rock drummer. He was regarded by critics as an important figure in the configuration of early British rock and roll, although he is often chiefly remembered for his long term association as the drummer with Vince Taylor and the Playboys.
John Marshall Echols is an American songwriter and guitarist, who was a co-founder and the lead guitar player of the psychedelic rock band Love.
"7 and 7 Is" is a song written by Arthur Lee and recorded by his band Love on June 17 and 20, 1966, at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood. It was produced by Jac Holzman and engineered by Bruce Botnick.
Love Story is a documentary film about the music band Love. It covers the band's journey from their creation to present day and details the band's albums. The film premiered at the 50th London Film Festival in October 2006. It features interviews from Arthur Lee shortly before he died as well as other band members Johnny Echols and Alban "Snoopy" Pfisterer. It also has archive interview footage of Bryan MacLean. The film was released on DVD in June 2008.
"Orange Skies" is a song written by Bryan MacLean and originally recorded in 1966 by the band Love for their second album Da Capo. It was first released the same month as the B-side to the band's single "Stephanie Knows Who". The original recording features band leader Arthur Lee on lead vocals instead of MacLean.
Ifyoubelievein is the first solo album by the American musician Bryan MacLean, released in 1997. It was recorded sporadically from the 1960s to the 1980s. The album is composed entirely of previously unreleased demo recordings.
"She Comes in Colors" is a song written by Arthur Lee and released by the band Love as a single in 1966 and on their 1966 album Da Capo. It was also included on a number of Love compilation albums, including Love Revisited and Best of Love and on the multi-artist compilation album Forever Changing: The Golden Age of Elektra 1963–1973.
"Stephanie Knows Who" is a song written by Arthur Lee and first released by Love on their 1966 album Da Capo. It has also been released on several Love compilation albums. It was to have been released as a single, backed with "Orange Skies", but the single was withdrawn, with "She Comes in Colors" replacing it under the same catalog number. The song was also covered by the Move.
This is a list of the records issued by American band Love.
1 2 Einarson, John (2010). Forever Changes: Arthur Lee and the Book Of Love - The Authorized Biography of Arthur Lee (1sted.). Jawbone Press. pp.33–34, 60. ISBN978-1-908279-22-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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