Michael Vosse | |
|---|---|
 Vosse, 1966 | |
| Born | May 20, 1941 (1941-5-20) |
| Died | January 20, 2014(2014-01-20) (aged 72) |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist, publicist |
Michael Vosse (May 20, 1941 – January 20, 2014) was an American journalist andA&M Records publicist. He is best known as assistant toBrian Wilson during the formation ofthe Beach Boys'Brother Records and the recording of the albumSmile (1966–67).[1][2][3] His work also included limited time serving as a television producer, and narrator.
Vosse's father was a man who printed one of the first books in the United States about the drugLSD.[4] Early in his professional life, Vosse was a television production assistant who acted as a liaison between record companies, musicians, other artists, and "the underground".[5] In college, he was friends withDavid Anderle, who later became the first head ofthe Beach Boys' companyBrother Records.[6] According to Beach Boys biographerSteven Gaines, Vosse was also "a part-time stringer" for the journalistJules Siegel.[7]
Vosse was introduced toBrian Wilson bySmile lyricistVan Dyke Parks.[8] Beach Boys publicistDerek Taylor arranged for Vosse, then a magazine reporter, to interview Wilson for the forthcoming release of their late 1966 single "Good Vibrations". The day after their meeting, Wilson called Vosse and offered him a job recording sounds of nature.[6] During this time, Vosse appeared with Wilson onThe Lloyd Thaxton Show, with Wilson speaking about the benefits of eating vegetables.[9]
The Beach Boys terminated their employment of Vosse in March 1967, as Wilson's bandmates resented the fact that they had been paying the salary of an aide who worked solely for Wilson.[10] In 1969, Vosse penned an article forFusion that expounded on his side of theSmile story,[11] and in 2004, he appeared in the documentaryBeautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile.[12]
Following his association with the Beach Boys, Vosse worked for theMonterey Pop Festival committee,[13] and then as an assistant to the vice president ofA&M Records, and was involved withthe Flying Burrito Brothers.[14][15] He was assigned by the label to accompany them during their infamous cross-country tour in the late 1960s.[16] In 1987, Vosse wrote, produced and narrated the television special "The Music Never Stopped" forKGO-TV.[citation needed]
Vosse died on January 20, 2014.[17][better source needed]
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