John Stamos has shared an emotional update about his longtime friend and Beach Boys frontman Mike Love. He paid tribute to the 85-year-old while expressing concern about his health challenges.
John Stamos addresses Mike Love’s serious health challenges after Nashville concert
Stamos performed with the Beach Boys at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Sunday, October 11. He took to Instagram to share a moving message.
“My beloved friend, father figure, musical hero and mentor, Mike Love, is facing serious health challenges. We hope he’ll be doing what he loves for years to come, but we don’t know what the future holds. We have tonight,” Stamos wrote.
The “Full House” star has performed with the singer for 41 years. He revealed that Love was determined to take the stage despite concerns from those close to him.
“Mike is a fighter. Despite doctors, family and friends urging him to focus on his health, he insists on being on stage. He says he needs his band, the audience, his friends and drummer surrounding him to lift him up,” Stamos shared.
According to EW, the singer took the stage but remained seated throughout the performance. He wore a cap, a hoodie, and a scarf while performing backing vocals.
Stamos reflected on the pain of seeing his longtime mentor suffer like this.
“I’ve played with Mike for 41 years. I never imagined how deeply it would affect me to see someone larger than life face something so human and fragile,” he wrote.
“The Mike Love we see tonight may not be exactly the Mike we’ve always known. But he’s still every bit the Mike we love.”
Love had previously talked about recovering from COVID-19 in June. The singer has also recently suffered the loss of his sister and his cousin, Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson.
The actor took the opportunity to reveal the deep impact the singer has had on his life.
“Mike didn’t just give me a place in his band. He gave me a place in his life. He taught me how to entertain, hold a stage, connect with an audience and make people feel something. I carry those lessons everywhere. He’s made me a better musician, entertainer and man.”
