I had never interviewed anyone before I wrote the book. It definitely took me a few before I feel like I got the hang of it. And I don't do interviews for my substack, "Matt Berenson's Newsletter for Music Obsessives." Maybe I should!
It took me a long time too but always somewhat nerve wracking, which is probably a good thing. It was drummed into me as a journalism student that you can never do enough research (very true!).
I enjoyed reading this piece, Robert. Which is saying something, because Love is the first artist I wrote about in my book “Secret Stars: The Greatest Underdogs of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Era.” Roughly 10,000 words. I was able to interview Johnny Echols who set the record straight on a few things and revealed something significant to me about Arthur that has never been written about anywhere before. Not sure why he decided to share it with me, but it was quite the gift. Eager to read more of your work.
Thanks so much, Matt. Appreciate the kind words and hope you like what I'm doing here. One day, I would like to incorporate some interviews into what I do here - just need to free up more time to do so and sharpen my interviewing skills (haven't done an interview for almost a decade now!).
Great article! Of the three Love albums, I've always liked Da Capo the best. I understand why Forever Changes is generally preferred and also the reasons behind the rejection of Revelation. But, for me, Revelations is one of those songs that, as you mention, shows one of the more experimental sides of the of those years. I don't know, I've always liked those sound excursions, which I also feel on the second record of Freak Out! or the entire Mirror Man.
It's part of the period, for sure. Da Capo might be, save for 'Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands' and Blonde on Blonde, the first album in which one song filled a whole side.
Never saw the band live, being on the East Coast, but Revelation got heavy airplay on New York FM radio. Saw Arthur perform at Madame Wongs in LA during his Baby Lemonade days playing solo, and he was a mess. He was drunk, slurring his lyrics and sloppy playing. It was sad but I can say I saw him in person. The guy was a true musical genius. Great article Robert.
Thanks so much. I would rank Lee up with Brian Wilson, John Phillips, Zappa, etc. as the visionaries behind California's dominance in the new rock and pop of the mid and late sixties. Love's music remains deeply vital and timeless.
Damn Robert you brought me way back and deep! I first heard Love's "Hey Joe" while walking the corridor in my dorm at RPI in 1965. A guy had it pumped up through a good sound system. His door was open and He let me look at the album. He lasted one semester. I bought their first two albums but not "Forever Changes" until many years later and it did not appeal to me that much. I guess it was the timing and the times. I wore the first two albums out. Thanks for another great ride on the time travel machine.
Surely you're going to write a book, Robert.
One day, I will.
Awesome site. Informed writing that is unique on the web.
Thanks for the kind words. I really appreciate it.
I love this band. Those first albums were so underrated. Arthur kind of went into the ditch so to speak later but left his mark.
I had never interviewed anyone before I wrote the book. It definitely took me a few before I feel like I got the hang of it. And I don't do interviews for my substack, "Matt Berenson's Newsletter for Music Obsessives." Maybe I should!
It took me a long time too but always somewhat nerve wracking, which is probably a good thing. It was drummed into me as a journalism student that you can never do enough research (very true!).
I enjoyed reading this piece, Robert. Which is saying something, because Love is the first artist I wrote about in my book “Secret Stars: The Greatest Underdogs of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Era.” Roughly 10,000 words. I was able to interview Johnny Echols who set the record straight on a few things and revealed something significant to me about Arthur that has never been written about anywhere before. Not sure why he decided to share it with me, but it was quite the gift. Eager to read more of your work.
Thanks so much, Matt. Appreciate the kind words and hope you like what I'm doing here. One day, I would like to incorporate some interviews into what I do here - just need to free up more time to do so and sharpen my interviewing skills (haven't done an interview for almost a decade now!).
Great article! Of the three Love albums, I've always liked Da Capo the best. I understand why Forever Changes is generally preferred and also the reasons behind the rejection of Revelation. But, for me, Revelations is one of those songs that, as you mention, shows one of the more experimental sides of the of those years. I don't know, I've always liked those sound excursions, which I also feel on the second record of Freak Out! or the entire Mirror Man.
It's part of the period, for sure. Da Capo might be, save for 'Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands' and Blonde on Blonde, the first album in which one song filled a whole side.
Never saw the band live, being on the East Coast, but Revelation got heavy airplay on New York FM radio. Saw Arthur perform at Madame Wongs in LA during his Baby Lemonade days playing solo, and he was a mess. He was drunk, slurring his lyrics and sloppy playing. It was sad but I can say I saw him in person. The guy was a true musical genius. Great article Robert.
Thanks so much. I would rank Lee up with Brian Wilson, John Phillips, Zappa, etc. as the visionaries behind California's dominance in the new rock and pop of the mid and late sixties. Love's music remains deeply vital and timeless.
Damn Robert you brought me way back and deep! I first heard Love's "Hey Joe" while walking the corridor in my dorm at RPI in 1965. A guy had it pumped up through a good sound system. His door was open and He let me look at the album. He lasted one semester. I bought their first two albums but not "Forever Changes" until many years later and it did not appeal to me that much. I guess it was the timing and the times. I wore the first two albums out. Thanks for another great ride on the time travel machine.
You're very welcome, as always. Glad it brought back some memories.