Not long after the passing of Brian Wilson was announced by his family on June 11, 2025, tributes began appearing honoring the Beach Boys co-founder.
We are heartbroken to announced that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away.
We are at a loss for words right now.
Please respect our privacy at this time as our family grieving.
We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.
Love & Mercy pic.twitter.com/sIe7TUUdOm
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) June 11, 2025
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The Beach Boys’ Facebook page posted a tribute: “The world mourns a genius today, and we grieve for the loss of our cousin, our friend, and our partner in a great musical adventure. 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. His unparalleled talent and unique spirit created the soundtrack of so many lives around the globe, including our own. Together, we gave the world the American dream of optimism, joy, and a sense of freedom—music that made people feel good, made them believe in summer and endless possibilities.
“We are heartbroken by his passing. We will continue to cherish the timeless music we made together and the joy he brought to millions over the decades. And while we will miss him deeply, his legacy will live on through his songs and in our memories.
“Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Mike Love, first cousin of Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, wrote a lengthy tribute about “my partner in music.”
“Today, the world lost a genius,” Love wrote, “and I lost a cousin by blood and my partner in music.
“Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys—he was the soul of our sound. From the first time we sang together as kids in my living room, I knew there was something otherworldly in him. His musical gifts were unmatched. The melodies he dreamed up, the emotions he poured into every note—Brian changed the course of music forever.
“Our journey together was filled with moments of brilliance, heartbreak, laughter, complexity and most of all, LOVE. Like all families, we had our ups and downs. But through it all, we never stopped loving each other, and I never stopped being in awe of what he could do when he sat at a piano or his spontaneity in the studio.
“Brian’s unique artistry and our collaboration gave the world the American dream of optimism, joy, and a sense of freedom—music that made people feel good, made them believe in an endless summer and endless possibilities. It was one of the greatest blessings of my life to experience that creative space with him.
It was our privilege to make the world believe in sunshine, surfing, and teenage dreams. My life was forever changed by Pet Sounds, ‘God Only Knows,’ ‘In My Room,’ ‘Good Vibrations,’ ‘The Warmth of the Sun’ and a hundred other pieces of his soul wrapped in music. He allowed us to show the world what vulnerability and brilliance sound like in harmony. He was fragile, he was intense, he was funny—and he was one of a kind.
“My wife, Jacquelyne, and I are heartbroken. She stood beside me through so many chapters of this story, and we both send our love and prayers to Brian’s family, his children, and all who were touched by his life and gifts.
“Brian, you once asked, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if we were older?’ Now you are timeless. May you rest in the peace you so deeply deserve, surrounded by the heavenly music you helped create. May your spirit soar as high as your falsetto, may your wings spread in effortless flight.
“Thank you for the harmonies, the memories, and the love. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.
“I’ll miss you forever, my beloved cousin.”
From fellow Beach Boys founder and lifelong friend and bandmate, Al Jardine…
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Fellow songwriting legend Carole King wrote, “Brian Wilson was my friend and my brother in songwriting. We shared a similar sensibility, as evidenced by his 4 over 5 chord under ‘Aaaah!’ in ‘Good Vibrations’ and mine under ‘I’m Into Something Good.’
“We once discussed who used it first, and in the end we decided it didn’t matter. The world will miss Brian, but we are so lucky to have his music.”
Bob Dylan’s concise tribute conveyed how many people felt.
Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I’ve been listening to him and admiring his genius. Rest in peace dear Brian.
— Bob Dylan (@bobdylan) June 11, 2025
Paul McCartney posted a tribute the following morning. “Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while. How we will continue without Brian Wilson, ‘God Only Knows’.
“Thank you, Brian. – Paul”
McCartney shared this undated photo on his June 12, 2025 Facebook post.
John Cusack, who portrayed the “older” Wilson in the 2014 biopic, Love & Mercy, posted a tribute on his Instagram.
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Brian Wilson was a musical and spiritual giant. His melodies shaped generations, & his soul resonated in every note.
I was fortunate to know him; we all were blessed by his genius.
Rest peacefully, Brian.#BrianWilson #TheBeachBoys #MickyDolenz #Music pic.twitter.com/zgD6uairm8
— Micky Dolenz (@TheMickyDolenz1) June 11, 2025
Elton John wrote on Facebook, “Brian Wilson was always so kind to me from the day I met him. He sang ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’ at a tribute concert in 2003, and it was an extraordinary moment for me. I played on his solo records, he sang on my album, The Union, and even performed for my AIDS Foundation.
“I grew to love him as a person, and for me, he was the biggest influence on my songwriting ever; he was a musical genius and revolutionary. He changed the goalposts when it came to writing songs and shaped music forever. A true giant.”
Oh no Brian Wilson and Sly Stone in one week ~ my world is in mourning so sad xx pic.twitter.com/NXPfKzy7Ml
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) June 11, 2025
From Ringo Starr: “God bless Brian Wilson. Peace and love to all his family.”
Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson’s genius magical touch !! And greatly saddened of this major worldly loss!! My thoughts go out to his family and friends Mick Fleetwood and the Fleetwood Mac Family #brianwilson #thebeachboys pic.twitter.com/ZddqigNK7e
— Mick Fleetwood (@MickFleetwood) June 11, 2025
From Darlene Love: “Today I lost a dear friend and the world lost a true musical genius — Brian Wilson. I’ve known Brian since the very beginning of my career through Lou Adler, and over the years, we shared unforgettable memories, both on stage and in the studio.
“From singing backup on Beach Boys tracks to sharing moments of laughter and harmony during his solo projects, Brian was more than a collaborator — he was family. His creativity knew no limits, and his heart was just as big as his talent.
“One of his favorite Christmas songs was Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), and I was always so touched by how much that meant to him. We shared a deep respect for each other’s gifts, and I always said, “The world always needs to see and hear Brian Wilson.” That’s never been more true than it is today.
“Rest easy, Brian. Your music, your spirit, and your soul will live on forever.”
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. pic.twitter.com/BydohAUf1c
— Cameron Crowe (@CameronCrowe) June 11, 2025
From the Zombies’ Colin Blunstone: “So very sorry to hear that Brian Wilson has passed away. He was one of the all time greats and a wonderful character too!! He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him and by all those who were touched by his breathtakingly beautiful music!!”
Oh gee…We say goodbye to Brian Wilson.
I’ve know the Beach boys since the mid 60’s and have done lots of shows with them. They were the American answer to the Beatles. They wowed everyone with the songs, structures, vocals harmonies. The sunshine sound. I remember when Brian… pic.twitter.com/5zmjmGRcmY— Randy Bachman (@RandysVinylTap) June 11, 2025
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. I feel very lucky that I was able to meet him and spend some time with him. He was always very kind and generous. He was our American Mozart. A one… pic.twitter.com/UODb9NdqOl
— Sean Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) June 11, 2025
[Beach Boys albums, including many expanded editions, are available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.]
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