Love (music group)
Love was an influential American folk-rock and psychedelic music group that emerged in the mid-1960s, primarily active through the 1970s. Founded by Arthur Lee in Los Angeles, the band is best known for their critically acclaimed album *Forever Changes*, which features iconic songs such as "Alone Again Or," "The Red Telephone," and "Live and Let Live." Their debut album, *Love*, released in 1966, showcased a sound reminiscent of the Byrds and Rolling Stones, while their second album, *Da Capo*, introduced a more psychedelic style, including the notable single "Seven & Seven Is."
Throughout their career, Love experienced various lineup changes, with members like Bryan MacLean and Johnny Echols playing significant roles alongside Lee. Despite their initial success, including the impact of *Forever Changes*, the group's journey was marred by struggles with drug use, leading to their breakup in 1968. Although Lee attempted to revive the band in subsequent years, their later albums did not achieve the same level of acclaim. Arthur Lee continued to perform under the Love name until his death in 2006, leaving behind a legacy that has influenced numerous artists and is still celebrated today.
Love (music group)
Love was an American folk-rock and psychedelic music group primarily active in the 1960s and 1970s. Led by Arthur Lee, the band's most noteworthy contribution to the world of music is the album Forever Changes, which earned critical acclaim. Notable songs from the album are "Alone Again Or," "The Red Telephone," and "Live and Let Live." Love's other memorable albums include Love, containing the minor hit "My Little Red Book," and Da Capo, featuring "She Comes in Colors," "Stephanie Knows Who," and "Seven & Seven Is."
Formation and Early Years
Arthur Lee (1945–2006) formed Love in Los Angeles, California, in 1965. Although the band had numerous members during its lifespan, some of the other key members included Bryan MacLean (1946–1998), Johnny Echols (1947–), and Ken Forssi (1943–1998).
As the singer/songwriter, Lee was the leader of the group. Lee and Echols had been members of the band Arthur Lee and the LAGs before Lee formed Love. The original name for Lee's new group was the Grass Roots; however, Lee changed the name to Love because a band in Los Angeles was already using the name the Grass Roots.
Early on, Love played folk-rock that was influenced by the Byrds, another Los Angeles-based band. Love soon developed a following in the clubs of Los Angeles. The band then signed with the Elektra label. In 1966, the group released its debut album, Love. The album evokes the Byrds and the Rolling Stones, a top-selling British band of the time. Critics praised Love, which sold 150,000 copies. The album includes a punkish version of "My Little Red Book," a song that was originally written by songwriter Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David. The song was a small hit for Love. Other songs featured on Love are "Signed D.C.," "Mushroom Clouds," and "Softly to Me."
In 1967, Love delivered the album Da Capo. Containing just seven songs, the album features a psychedelic sound as well as hints of jazz and Baroque pop. Some of the highlights of the album are the songs "She Comes in Colors," "Stephanie Knows Who," and "Seven & Seven Is," the last of which was the band's only hit single. Da Capo also includes a 19-minute jam called "Revelation" that takes up the entire second side of the album. Some critics believe the song is too out of control and hurts the overall quality of the album. Nevertheless, Da Capo is considered a classic folk-rock album.
Forever Changes
The same year Love put out Da Capo, the band released the album Forever Changes. Lee composed most of the album's songs, but MacLean earned songwriting credits as well. In fact, MacLean wrote one of the most notable songs in Love's entire catalog. "Alone Again Or," which opens Forever Changes, is based in flamenco and has string and horn parts.
The psychedelic Forever Changes has been described as featuring intermingled acoustic guitars, subtle string and horn arrangements, and enchanting lyrics. Additionally, the album contains songs that display piercing electric guitars such as "A House Is Not a Motel" and "Live and Let Live." Forever Changes also foreshadows the strife of the coming years, as seen in the songs "Maybe the People Would Be the Times or Between Clark and Hilldale" and "The Red Telephone."
Although Forever Changes had only minimal success on the music charts, it is widely regarded as a masterpiece. Some critics have compared it to the Beatles' groundbreaking 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The album also influenced many bands of the 1980s, including Echo and the Bunnymen, the Monochrome Set, and the Teardrop Explodes. Many critics consider Forever Changes one of the greatest rock albums ever made.
Breakup and Aftermath
After the release of Forever Changes, Love began to spiral, mainly because of drug use. The band broke up in 1968. Lee attempted to reincarnate Love, bringing in new band members that same year. The group put out several other albums, including Four Sail and Out Here in 1969 and False Start in 1970. However, these albums failed to garner the acclaim that Love, Da Capo, and Forever Changes had. Lee disbanded the group in 1971. Following this breakup, Lee began a solo career. Over the years, Lee also toured under the Love name.
In 1996, Lee found himself in trouble with the law. Following an incident with a neighbor, he was convicted of illegal possession of a firearm. Because of prior convictions, Lee was sentenced to eight to twelve years in jail. Both MacLean and Forssi died in 1998, MacLean of a heart attack and Forssi of brain cancer. In 2001, the prosecutor at Lee's trial was found guilty of misconduct, and Lee was set free. He subsequently went on tour under the Love name, playing the entire Forever Changes album. Lee died of acute myeloid leukemia in 2006.
Bibliography
Deming, Mark. "Love: Forever Changes." AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. http://www.allmusic.com/album/forever-changes-mw0000193671
"Love." Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/love
Mason, Stewart. "Love: Alone Again Or." AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. http://www.allmusic.com/song/alone-again-or-mt0003116019
Unterberger, Richie. "Love: Biography." AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/love-mn0000314600/biography
Unterberger, Richie. "Love: Da Capo." AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. http://www.allmusic.com/album/da-capo-mw0000195829
Unterberger, Richie. "Love: Love." AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. http://www.allmusic.com/album/love-mw0000652097