Albums That Changed Music: Love - Forever Changes

Love was an American psychedelic and folk-rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965. Led by Arthur Lee, Love was one of the first racially diverse American rock bands. Their style drew from an eclectic range of sources including hard rock, blues, jazz, flamenco, and orchestral pop.

While finding only modest success on the music charts, peaking in 1966 with their Top 40 hit “7 and 7 Is”, Love would come to be praised by critics as their third album, Forever Changes (1967), became generally regarded as one of the best albums of the 1960s. It was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2011.

Singer/multi-instrumentalist Arthur Lee, who was originally from Memphis, Tennessee but had lived in Los Angelessince the age of five, had been recording since 1963 with his bands the LAG’s and Lee’s American Four. He wrote and produced the single “My Diary” for Rosa Lee Brooks in 1964, which featured Jimi Hendrix on guitar. The Sons Of Adam, which included future Love drummer Michael Stuart, recorded the Lee composition “Feathered Fish”. After attending a performance by the Byrds, Lee decided to form a band that joined the newly minted folk-rock sound of the Byrds to his primarily rhythm and blues style.

Love started playing the Los Angeles clubs in April 1965 and became a popular local attraction, while gaining the attention of the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds. The band lived communally in a house called “the Castle” and their first two albums included photographs shot in the garden of that house.

Their third album Forever Changes was released in November 1967 and was co-produced by Bruce Botnick. The album displayed a softer and more avant-garde approach for the band. By this time, tension arose between Arthur Lee and Bryan MacLean, who wanted more of his songs on the album. The band recorded the album in only 64 hours, though many professional session players were utilized, including some who replaced the actual band members in some songs. Writer Richard Meltzer, in his book The Aesthetics of Rock, commented on Love’s “orchestral moves”, “post-doper word contraction cuteness”, and Lee’s vocal style that serves as a “reaffirmation of Johnny Mathis”. Forever Changes included one hit single, MacLean’s “Alone Again Or”. By this stage, Love were far more popular in the UK, where the album reached No. 24, than in their home country, where it could only reach No. 154. Forever Changeshas since received recognition as one of the greatest rock albums of all time, appearing on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2011.

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What other albums do you think changed music? Let me know by commenting below!

[betonickhorn]

Echo and the bunnymen's album "Ocean Rain" is clearly influenced by Forever Changes and by The Doors too, by the way. The Damned recorded a cover of Alone Again Or in the 80s. It was through these works that I discovered this band.

[davidramsey]

Hi Warren! This is so cool to see! My band backed up Arthur from 1992 to 2005, and we played Forever Changes in it’s entirety with strings and horns many times. It was always a joy to play this music. Thank you for covering it. We still do shows with original guitarist Johnny Echols if you’re ever interested in coming to a show, hit me up. Hope you’re marvelously well!

[Gongtopia]

‘Forever Changes’ is a true masterpiece, and I don’t say that lightly. It is still timeless today, 54 years later. I still listen to it often and marvel at both the beauty and ingenuity of the music. ‘Alone Again Or’ gets me every time. Psychedelic rock with horns, strings and acoustic guitars—amazing!

[jlovebirch]

The album does the impossible by capturing the very spirit of 1967 in a magical way that somehow isn't dated and remains timeless.

[TheAnarchitek]

One. Of. The. Best. Albums. Ever!
Fifty-seven years later, it still engages the listener like few others!

[mikebrison]

Before they blew up, Love played at a dance at my high school. People weren’t dancing - just standing around in amazement. It was like 2 bands in one. They’d pound you into the ground with something like “7 and 7 is” and follow it with a flute playing “orange skies carnivals and cotton candy “.

[andrewfarrell]

Alone Again Or is one of the most beautiful songs to come out of the psychedelic period. This album is endlessly listenable, great on so many levels.

[andyscott]

Don’t think I’ve ever had an album grow on me like Forever Changes. First bought it about 25 years ago on the strength of "Alone Again Or, " and it’s reputation as a masterpiece. Must admit I was a bit confounded by the record at first. Wasn’t what I’d expected at all, assumed it would be heavier psychedelic rock. After a few listens, it’s strange melodic hooks lodged themselves in my mind. Find I revisit it often, finding new meaning and nuance every time. Truly an exceptional album, rewards repeated listening.

[tonybates]

I bought Forever Changes 40 years ago on spec because of the gushing critical acclaim I'd read on its behalf. It was actually better than I'd been led to believe. A true masterpiece.

[paulbruce]

A brilliant record from start to finish on both sides. I own an originsl 1967 pressing.

[davidcoleman]

I have had this album since 1967. Now have two LP'S two CD'S, 8 track, and cassette. It is by far my favorite album.

[garybreau]

What a great commentary on Forever changes. I met him after he played at a roadhouse where he played before Spirit and Canned Heat. We were truly fans and after he played and Canned Heat was on stage, I saw him slip out a back door. I told my friend and his girlfriend we need to leave and meet him. He stopped in the parking lot and here were these 3 college students thanking him for inspiring later generations. He was a little taken aback, but was very courteous and humble. We drove back to San Diego silent, knowing we just had a moment in life that we will never forget. That was over 30 years ago.

[verge]

I first heard Forever Changes when I was only 14, in 1975. My older brother had bought it, and upon my first hearing I knew immediately it was a classic; a work of genius.

[stangovers]

Thank you, Warren for your eloquent history lesson about my favorite band. I grew up near Hollywood and saw Love many times. I got to meet Jonny Echols fairly recently, and spoke with him. What a beautiful, intelligent person. As a musician, I could tell how great Forever Changes was. It definitely ranks with Sgt Pepper and Pet Sounds. Love's live performances at Glastonbury and on Jools Holland are amazing and rekindled my interest in their music. ❤❤❤❤

[davidellis]

Not only the greatest album ever but also the greatest album cover

[shauncollins]

An album with a special place in my heart, I actually wept quite spontaneously when my wife gave me the CD release..

[bookmarksbindery]

I'm a bit of a fan of this record as you can probably tell. In fact I believe it's the greatest album ever made An earlier origin to the album title is that Arthur Lee overheard one of his bandmates splitting up with his girlfriend. Apparently she said: "But you said you'd love me forever" to which he replied, "Yeah, well, forever changes" and later when Arthur believed that he was going to die soon (he had an uncle who'd recently died young) he decided that those would be his final words to the world. You did a marvellous job Warren, thanks for bringing this album to a wider audience.

[BlaBla-jjsh]

Forever Changes is a timeless masterpiece that I love and still listen to regularly.

[georgehays]

Truly one of the best albums ever made.