I discovered Love in the late 70s and loved their unique sound. They were an influential American folk-rock and psychedelic group that formed in Los Angeles in 1965. The band was a pioneering force in the psychedelic music scene and is celebrated for its diverse musical style and groundbreaking albums, particularly their 1967 masterpiece, *Forever Changes*. The band was founded by singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Arthur Lee, who was, legend has it, a bit of a loose cannon. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Lee moved to Los Angeles as a child. Before forming Love, he had been a part of other bands, including Arthur Lee and the LAGs and the American Four.
Inspired by the folk-rock sound of The Byrds, Lee decided to create a new group that combined this style with his rhythm and blues background. He recruited guitarist Bryan MacLean, who had previously worked as a roadie for The Byrds and came from a well-connected Hollywood background. The band's classic lineup also included Johnny Echols (lead guitar), Ken Forssi (bass), and Michael Stuart-Ware (drums). The band initially called themselves The Grass Roots but changed their name to Love to avoid confusion with another band. Love was one of the first racially diverse rock bands in America, with a sound that was a unique blend of folk-rock, garage rock, blues, jazz, and even orchestral pop which I found so attractive
The band became a popular local act in Los Angeles, gaining a following and attracting the attention of record labels. They were the first rock act to be signed to Elektra Records. Their first two albums, *Love* (1966) and *Da Capo* (1966), showcased their eclectic sound and earned them a minor hit with "7 and 7 Is., later covered by UFO of all people. However, it was their third album, *Forever Changes* (1967), that cemented their legacy. Despite modest commercial success at the time, the album is now considered one of the most important and acclaimed albums of the 1960s or any era. Its intricate, orchestral arrangements and melancholic, apocalyptic lyrics set it apart from other psychedelic music of the era.
Despite the critical acclaim for *Forever Changes*, the band began to fall apart due to internal conflicts and drug use. By 1968, the original lineup had dissolved, leaving only Arthur Lee to carry on the name. Lee continued to release music under the name Love with a rotating cast of musicians throughout the 1970s, but these later albums did not achieve the same critical or commercial success as their earlier work.
Arthur Lee's later life was marked by personal struggles, including a prison sentence for a firearms offense. After his release, he began touring again under the name "Love with Arthur Lee," often with the band Baby Lemonade. He found renewed success, particularly in the United Kingdom, where the band's music had always had a strong cult following. Arthur Lee died in 2006 from leukemia. Johnny Echols, the band's original guitarist, has since continued to perform the band's music. The legacy of Love, and particularly *Forever Changes*, has only grown over time, influencing generations of musicians in genres from indie rock to psychedelia.
