Proof that there is no Justice

Mike Love sues Brian Wilson. No, really.

Would someone please take Mike Love out for me? The world would be such a better and more harmonious place. What an astounding pariah in popular music. Of course, hypothetically speaking one could organize a "hit" on Mike Love, but then he'd probably sue for using his likeness. Actually, I'm thinking of suing Brian Wilson myself, since he stole all of my ideas in another lifetime before I was born in my present form.

And this just in from Reuters - "Mike Love sues God, claims he actually did invent summer weather first and that the supreme creators use of trademarked images constitutes an infringment on commodities owned by Mr. Love".

Love filed the lawsuit in federal court Thursday accusing Wilson of promoting his 2004 album, "Smile," in a manner that "shamelessly misappropriated Mike Love's songs, likeness and the Beach Boys trademark, as well as the 'Smile' album itself."

Love's lawyer says it's nothing personal.

"Mike has a lot of affection for Brian and they have a good relationship and cordial relations," said Phil Stillman, who has represented Love since 1992. "There's obviously some problem with the way Brian's (associates) have promoted the albums."

Stillman added: "They remain family and the co-founders of a very important band in rock 'n' roll history."

The Beach Boys never completed "Smile," and it was regarded as a lost classic until Wilson opted to finish it himself. The album earned international acclaim and marked a dramatic return for the 63-year-old singer-songwriter, who had kept a low profile for years.

Love objected to a promotion in which 2.6 million copies of a Beach Boys compilation CD were given away to readers of Britain's The Daily Mail on Sunday newspaper. The lawsuit said the giveaway undercut the band's sales.

The lawsuit seeks damages, including "millions of dollars in illicit profits," and seeks at least $1 million for international advertising "to correct the effects of ... unfair competition and infringing uses."

And in case you are looking for justice in this world, it might interest you to know that Mike Love has the exclusive legal right to tour under the Beach Boys name. Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind the Beach Boys cannot tour under that name. Al Jardine, another ex-Beach Boy, tours under the label of the Endless Summer Band Starring Al Jardine. Maybe justice is deaf as well as blind.