A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Brian Wilson’s mastery of music was showcased throughout his time in the Beach Boys. Besides being an accomplished musician, he also helped the group write hits like “Help Me, Rhonda.” Having inspired countless singers and musicians over the years with his talents, Wilson sadly passed away on June 11th at 82 years old. With tributes pouring in, his fellow bandmate Al Jardine recounted the last time he met Wilson and the sweet way he hoped to honor his friend’s legacy.
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With Jardine scheduled to go on tour in July, he apparently traveled to visit Wilson, hoping to add his name to the roster. Speaking with Variety about their time together, he admitted, “I saw Brian about a month ago, and he looked like he was on the mend. We were in the living room just chatting, as he was having a blood oxygen test. He had a nurse there, and she said: ‘Well, things are looking good,’ so I was not too concerned …”
Not remotely concerned about his health, Jardine went ahead and made preparations for Wilson, even ordering him a piano. “I thought he was going to be with us for some time. I was looking forward to him coming to the rehearsals in L.A. And I ordered a piano to be there for him.”
Al Jardine Saving A Seat For Brian Wilson
Still planning to hit the road this summer, Jardine insisted that he would honor his late friend by playing a few hits from the Beach Boys. But wanting to do more, he added there would be an empty seat to remember Wilson. “I get emotional. Unfortunately, yeah, I tend to tear up. But I’m OK.”
As for the tour, Jardine saw it as a way to keep Wilson’s memory alive. “I think it will keep the spirit alive, and I think, yeah, it’ll be more meaningful, possibly …”
Although Jardine had the perfect way to shed light on Wilson’s accomplishments, he knew how difficult it would be. “I think we’ll shed light on what he had accomplished, and we’re looking forward to it. If we can get by. If we can get through it emotionally. I’ve got a feeling there’s gonna be some tears up there, but we’ll just have to get through it somehow.”
With Wilson’s mark on the music industry shining bright, the Beach Boys offered a heartfelt tribute, declaring, “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys—he was the soul of our sound.”
(Photo by Suzanne Cordeiro/Shutterstock)
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