Beach Boys legend Mike Love, center, Brian, left, and Mike Jr., after pouring some of their Club Kokomo Spirits rum at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Beach Boys legend Mike Love, center, has a shot of his Club Kokomo Spirits rum before receiving a shrunken head at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Beach Boys legend Mike Love, center, Brian, left, and Mike Jr., after pouring some of their Club Kokomo Spirits rum at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Beach Boys legend Mike Love with his sons and others pour some of their Club Kokomo Spirits rum at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Drinks made with Club Kokomo Spirits from Beach Boys legend Mike Love at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Beach Boys legend Mike Love holds his shrunken head at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Shrunken heads at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Beach Boys legend Mike Love, center, shares a drink with friends before receiving a shrunken head at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Beach Boys legend Mike Love holds his shrunken head presented to him by MC Nick Brink at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Beach Boys shrunken heads and Club Kokomo Spirits rum at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
Beach Boys legend Mike Love holds his shrunken head and a bottle of his Club Kokomo Spirits rum at the Golden Tiki on Tuesday, Sept. 03, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images
The crowd for the Beach Boys show at The Venetian Theatre is shown on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (John Katsilometes/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @JohnnyKats1 Instagram/Threads
Las Vegas guitarist of the Beach Boys is shown at The Venetian Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (John Katsilometes/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @JohnnyKats1 Instagram/Threads
Rock ‘n’ roll legend Mike Love is shown during the Beach Boys show at The Venetian Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (John Katsilometes/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @JohnnyKats1 Instagram/Threads
The Beach Boys are shown at The Venetian Theatre is shown on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (John Katsilometes/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @JohnnyKats1 Instagram/Threads
Rock ‘n’ roll legend Mike Love is shown during the Beach Boys show at The Venetian Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (John Katsilometes/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @JohnnyKats1 Instagram/Threads
The Beach Boys are shown at The Venetian Theatre is shown on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (John Katsilometes/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @JohnnyKats1 Instagram/Threads
You wonder where Mike Love would display his latest award, which is a shrunken head from an off-Strip tiki tavern. Next to his Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award? Or alongside his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trophy?
The Beach Boys co-founder doesn’t need to worry about it. Love’s shrunken head is displayed in perpetuity at The Golden Tiki. Love appeared at the Chinatown hot spot this past Tuesday, pitching and serving his Club Kokomo Rum and chatting up the well-wishers.
“It’s a very interesting tradition, and I’m glad I escaped with the head I’ve had for eight decades,” Love said. He said of the cocktail brand he co-founded, “It turns out ‘Good Vibrations’ is not just about sound, but also flavors, because there’s a lot of harmony in these.”
Paul Shortino (Quiet Riot), Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne) and Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) were among the rock icons in the crammed club. Bach brought several Beach Boys vinyl albums for Love to autograph.
Love’s son, Mike Love Jr., a Vegas resident, was in the mix. Vincent John of Bronx Wanderers held court at the bar. It was a whole thing.
The Beach Boys finished a three-show series at The Venetian Theatre on Saturday night. The performances revived the “Endless Summer” compilation album from 1974. “Surfin’ Safari,” “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl” highlighted the “surf”-titled tunes. “Sloop John B” and “Don’t Worry Baby” (sung by Love’s son Christian Love) were in the hit-laden performance.
Las Vegas was represented by bassist Keith Hubacher (formerly of the “Jersey Boys” band) and guitarist John Wedemeyer. “Weeds” played lead in the run and tours with the band. He hasn’t been honored with a shrunken head — yet. But know that his Hot Mops band is playing Dispensary Lounge on Thursday, no cover.
