The music world suffered an immeasurable loss on June 11 with the passing of legendary Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson. The family of the beloved 82-year-old singer, songwriter, musician, and producer announced his death with a post on his social media pages. The message read, in part, “Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.”
Videos by American Songwriter
The music Wilson created with The Beach Boys hugely influenced his contemporaries, including The Beatles, and generations of younger artists.
[RELATED: Brian Wilson, Beach Boys Co-Founder and Musical Pioneer, Dead at 82]
Not surprisingly, a bevy of famous artists have shared tributes and words of mourning in honor of Brian. Among the many lauded music stars who have posted homages on their social media pages are Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and founding Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.
Starr wrote a brief note that reads, “God bless Brian Wilson. Peace and love to all his family.” The message included a photo of Ringo and Brian Wilson taken during the 1980s.
Richards simply wrote, “Rest in Peace!” The message also included a photo of a page from Richards’ 2011 memoir, Life, in which he discussed his first impressions of The Beach Boys’ music.
The passage read, in part, “[L]istening to Pet Sounds, well, it’s all a little bit overproduced for me, but Brian Wilson had something. … There was no particular correlation with what we were doing, so I could just listen to it on another level. I thought these are very well-constructed songs.”
Here’s what some other well-known musicians wrote in homage to Wilson:
Rolling Stones Guitarist Ronnie Wood
Longtime Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood lamented that Wilson’s came days after the passing of another music icon. “Oh no Brian Wilson and Sly Stone in one week,” he wrote. “[M]y world is in mourning … So sad.”
Carole King
Acclaimed songwriter Carole King’s tribute touched on how she and Wilson had some things in common when it came to composing songs.
“Brian Wilson was my friend and my brother in songwriting,” she noted. “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.”
Graham Nash
Graham Nash wrote, “Rest in Peace, Brian Wilson. What joy, what vision, what genius he brought into our lives. He set the musical course in a new direction. How lucky we are to have his beautiful sound to cherish for all time.”
He added, “My heart goes out to his family and friends, and to all of us whose lives have been musically expanded and uplifted by Brian.”
Mick Fleetwood
Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood shared an homage from himself and “the Fleetwood Mac 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!!” Fleetwood wrote. “My thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
The Kinks’ Dave Davies
Kinks lead guitarist Dave Davies wrote, “Devastated to hear of [Brian Wilson’s] passing. He had such a profound effect on me. The Kinks played the Hollywood Bowl with The Beach Boys on our first [U.S.] tour. Sad day … years later Brian and I used to run into each other at the movies with our daughters and we’d catch up … I’m devastated. I loved his singing. He was an innovator and his writing prowess was remarkable. I loved him.”
KISS’ Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons
KISS co-founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons posted separate tributes to Wilson on their respective X pages.
Stanley wrote, “Brian Wilson Has Died. ‘Genius’ is a term used too often and too loosely. ‘Tortured Genius’ even more so. Brian’s astonishing output of musical brilliance will bring joy while it influences generations to come. Thank you Brian and Rest In Peace.”
Simmons’ homage reads, “Sadly, Brian Wilson has passed away. Songwriter, visionary. Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful melodies that spanned decades. I’m going to spend the day listening to the Beach Boys and reminiscing.”
Randy Bachman
Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive co-founder Randy Bachman first crossed paths with Wilson and The Beach Boys about 60 years ago. He went on to collaborate with late Beach Boys member Carl Wilson on two songs that appeared on the band’s 1980 studio album, Keepin’ the Summer Alive—the title track and “Livin’ with a Heartache.”
“Oh gee…We say goodbye to Brian Wilson,” Randy wrote in his tribute. “I’ve [known] 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.”
He continued, “They were like family. When Carl passed it was like losing a brother and it feels the same today. The band is still going today with their incredible legacy with Bruce Johnston and Mike Love. We lost one of the greatest composers and messengers who took jazz harmony, put it to a Chuck Berry beat and made a new genre of music. Some of the best singles in the world.”
The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz
Micky Dolenz, the last surviving member of The Monkees, wrote, “Brian Wilson was a true giant – not just of music, but of spirit. His melodies shaped a generation, his harmonies changed the game, and his soul came through in every note.”
He added, “We crossed paths many times over the years, and every time I was struck by his quiet genius and kind heart. I was lucky to know him… and all of us were lucky to hear what was in his head. Rest peacefully, Brian. You gave us so much beauty.”
Toto’s David Paich
Toto singer, keyboardist, and songwriter David Paich wrote, “His falsetto voice [and] iconic vocal blend were the sound of our generation[.] One of the Greatest Songwriters of our time … ‘God Only Knows’ is a classic that has influenced us all! Surfing, cars and chicks! Thanks for the music, Brian!”
America’s Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley
America co-founders Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley shared a joint statement that reads, “SO very sad to hear that our dear friend, inspiration and mentor for decades has passed away. Rest In Peace BRIAN WILSON.”
Darlene Love
Famed girl group and session singer Darlene Love, who worked frequently with Wilson, penned a lengthy tribute in which she discussed her long friendship with him.
“Today I lost a dear friend and the world lost a true musical genius — Brian Wilson,” Love wrote. “I’ve known Brian since the very beginning of my career through [producer] Lou Adler, and over the years, we shared unforgettable memories, both on stage and in the studio.”
She continued, “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.”
Love then noted that one of Wilson’s favorite Christmas songs was “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” which Darlene famously sang on the classic Phil Spector-produced 1963 holiday compilation A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records.
“I was always so touched by how much that meant to him,” Love noted. “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.”
She concluded, “Rest easy, Brian. Your music, your spirit, and your soul will live on forever.”
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.