The music community has expressed profound grief and admiration following the passing of Brian Wilson, co-founder and creative force behind The Beach Boys, on Wednesday, at age 82.
Tributes from artists, peers, and industry figures highlight Wilson’s transformative influence on pop music, particularly through his innovative songwriting, production techniques, and the landmark 1966 album Pet Sounds.
- John Cusack, who portrayed Wilson in the 2014 biopic Love & Mercy, described him as “a raw open heart with two legs - and an ear that heard the angels - quite literally.” Cusack emphasized Wilson’s resilience in openly discussing his mental health struggles and completing his unfinished masterpiece Smile, calling his journey a “triumph of endurance and spirit.”
- Sean Ono Lennon, son of John Lennon, shared a personal reflection, stating, “Anyone who really knows me knows how heart broken I am about Brian Wilson passing. Not many people influenced me as much as he did.” He noted meeting Wilson and described him as “our American Mozart. A one of a kind genius from another world.”
- Elton John called Wilson a “musical genius and revolutionary,” underscoring his profound impact on music.
- Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones wrote, “my world is in mourning,” while Keith Richards also paid respects, reflecting Wilson’s influence across genres.
- Mick Fleetwood expressed being “greatly saddened,” adding, “Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson’s genius magical touch.”
- Questlove posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram, noting, “If there was a human being who made art out of inexpressible sadness … damn it was Brian Wilson,” highlighting his ability to channel melancholy into beautiful music.
- Al Jardine, Wilson’s Beach Boys bandmate, called him a “humble giant” and “brother in spirit,” expressing comfort in imagining Wilson reunited with his brothers Carl and Dennis, “singing those beautiful harmonies again.” Jardine added, “we will celebrate your music forever.”
- Nancy Sinatra paid tribute, saying, “His cherished music will live forever,” reflecting the timelessness of Wilson’s work.
- Tim Burgess of The Charlatans shared a video of his Beach Boys vinyl collection, noting, “Brian Wilson - he could write about any subject and it would hit you where it counts. The best at what he did best.”
- Cameron Crowe, director of Almost Famous, wrote on X, “Those transcendent words and happy/sad melodies will be there for all-time, waiting for each new generation. Mighty love and thanks always to the great Brian Wilson.”
- Randy Bachman shared a personal memory, recalling performing with The Beach Boys and describing Wilson as a composer who “took jazz harmony, put it to a Chuck Berry beat and made a new genre of music.” He likened Wilson’s passing to losing a family member.
- Bob Dylan also paid respects, with sources noting his admiration for Wilson’s production, once saying, “Jesus, that ear. He should donate it to the Smithsonian.”
- Steven Hyden, a music journalist, wrote on X, “One of the greatest artists of my lifetime in any medium. In terms of rock songwriting, he’s on the extremely shortlist of all-time greats. Ditto production.”
- The Beach Boys as a group issued a statement, saying, “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys — he was the soul of our sound. The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever.” They vowed to cherish his legacy through his songs.
- Paul McCartney, a longtime admirer, was cited in tributes for past praise of Pet Sounds, calling it “the classic of the century” and noting its influence on The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. While no new statement was directly attributed to him, his historical reverence for Wilson underscores the mutual respect between the two
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