The music industry is mourning the loss of a giant following the death of The Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson. The two-time Grammy Award winner’s influence reached every corner of music, from Paul McCartney to Jason Aldean. After Brian Wilson passed on June 11, 2025—nine days shy of his 83rd birthday—Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong shared a special tribute.
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Taking to social media Thursday (June 12), the “Basket Case” hitmaker, 53, posted a full two-minute cover of the Beach Boys’ first U.S. chart-topper, 1964’s “I Get Around.”
“Thank you Brian Wilson,” wrote Armstrong. “I recorded a cover of ‘I Get Around’ a few years ago.. never got to share it. One of my all time favorite songs ever.”
Fans Call on Billie Joe Armstrong to Officially Release Beach Boys Cover
In Billie Joe Armstrong’s hands, “I Get Around”—written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love—becomes a bratty punk-rock anthem. Still, it manages to stay true to the spirit of the original while adding a decidedly Green Day twist—and fans want more.
“I’d kill to hear a whole tribute album,” wrote one Instagram user, who then speculated on the best way to combine the two bands’ names. “The Green Boys? Beach Day?”
Another added, “Love this version so much. Would be amazing to have it on streaming someday. Such a sweet tribute to Brian — he really left a mark on all of us.”
Armstrong is one of many musicians who have paid homage to Wilson since news broke of his death. Sting covered The Beach Boys’ 1966 hit “God Only Knows” during a concert in Germany.
“Today, one of my heroes died, Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys,” Sting said ahead of the performance. “So I want to sing a song that I love.”
Other musical icons have also publicly mourned Wilson’s loss, with Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac writing, “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.”
Featured image by Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
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