Beach Boys member Al Jardine slams singer Mike Love for his speech at frontman Brian Wilson's funeral for 'lack of compassion'

Renowned musician and co-founder of the legendary rock band The Beach Boys, Alan Charles Jardine, commonly known as Al Jardine, in a recent interview with Rolling Stone, strongly criticized Mike Love, musician and one of the singers of the band, over his speech at the late band member Brian Wilson's funeral. Wilson died on June 11, 2025, at the age of 82.

During his Rolling Stone interview, recently published on August 19, 2025, the 82-year-old Al Jardine discussed Mike Love's speech at Wilson's funeral. Jardine, who was the band's rhythm guitarist and background vocalist, told Rolling Stone:

"Mike wanted everybody to know that he wrote every single word of ‘Good Vibrations.’ I didn’t feel the compassion, let’s put it that way."

Al Jardine, who co-founded The Beach Boys in California's Hawthorne in 1961 along with Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, and Dennis Wilson, who were brothers, and their cousin Mike Love, further added that:

He thinks "Mike’s got some serious megalomania problems" as well.

Al Jardine, one of the original founding members of The Beach Boys, has had a successful music career, with the band becoming one of the most celebrated and biggest rock bands in the history of American music. However, according to Rolling Stone, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, Brian Wilson's private funeral ceremony took place near Los Angeles.

Later, the attendees traveled to the Beverly Hills Hotel to watch performances by Wilson Phillips and the Pet Sounds Band, and to hear speeches from Al Jardine and Mike Love. Jardine told Rolling Stone that he started his speech by addressing Mike Love. Jardine said:

"Mike, I’ve written some songs with Brian myself. We wrote one called ‘Surfin’ Down the Swanee River.’ It just wasn’t as big as ‘Good Vibrations.' I was focusing on Brian, and Mike was more focused on Mike. I think that is what it boiled down to."

As per Rolling Stone, an anonymous representative for Love responded to the outlet by saying that:

"Mike’s focus has always been on uplifting audiences around the world through the music he helped create with his bandmates and cousin Brian. His commitment has been to preserve and share this great American songbook while providing resources to fellow Beach Boys shareholders, including Al Jardine. In addition, Mike and The Beach Boys have dedicated significant time and support to nonprofit organizations using their platform to give back to communities in need."

Besides Al Jardine, Brian Wilson spoke about Mike Love as well

Just like Al Jardine, even Brian Wilson, before he died, had opinions about his cousin Mike Love. Wilson talked about their band's decision to perform at Donald Trump's fundraiser campaign in 2020. Wilson and Jardine's representative at the time informed Variety in a statement that said:

"We have absolutely nothing to do with the Trump benefit today in Newport Beach. Zero. We didn't even know about it and were very surprised to read about it in the Los Angeles Times."

In another instance, Brian Wilson spoke out against Mike Love when he objected to the band's scheduled performance in Reno, Nevada, at a Safari Club International event. Wilson, at the time, took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook and posted a message saying:

"This organization supports trophy hunting, which both Al [Jardine] and I are emphatically opposed to. There's nothing we can do personally to stop the show, so please join us in signing the petition."

Trending

To which Mike Love responded:

"We look forward to a night of great music in Reno, and, as always, support freedom of thought and expression as a fundamental tenet of our rights as Americans."

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback