Many stars are remembering Beach Boys cofounder Brian Wilson after his death at 82 years old.
The Grammy winner’s family confirmed the news of his passing in a statement shared via Facebook on Wednesday, June 11. “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” the statement read. “We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”
After the announcement, tributes from fellow musicians and more celebs began pouring in.
“Oh no Brian Wilson and Sly Stone in one week ~ my world is in mourning 🙏🙏so sad ❤️❤️xx,” Rolling Stones member Ronnie Wood wrote on X, referring to Sly Stone’s passing two days prior.
Keep scrolling to see other celebrity tributes to Wilson:
Sean Lennon
The son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono took to X to reflect on how much Wilson meant to him.
“Anyone who really knows me knows how heart broken I am about Brian Wilson passing,” Lennon wrote. “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 of a kind genius from another world.”
Mark McGrath
The Sugar Ray singer left his tribute on the Instagram post announcing Brian’s death. “Truly heartbroken … may his memory and music always bring you joy and comfort,” he wrote.
Margo Price
The country singer commented on the post, “So grateful for all the beautiful music and compassion he brought into the world.”
Brian Ray
Ray, a guitarist who’s worked with Paul McCartney’s touring band, wrote, “Oh geez, I’m so saddened to hear this news. I was just walking through a hotel lobby less than five minutes ago, and I thought of them, wondering how he’s doing and now.”
Piers Morgan
The journalist and media personality paid tribute to Wilson on X.
“RIP Brian Wilson, 82. Co-creator of the Beach Boys, and the man who wrote one of the greatest pop songs in history, ‘God Only Knows,’ when he was just 23,” he wrote. “A complex man but a musical genius and showbusiness icon. What a legacy he leaves.”
Disclosure
The band Disclosure also left a note on the Instagram announcement, writing, “Favorite producer & composer of all time. Pushed the boundaries further than anyone had before. Lost for words. We love you Brian. Rest in peace to the greatest.”
Gavin DeGraw
The musician shared a message for Wilson’s family. “Sending my condolences. Thank you for sharing him with the world,” he wrote on the Instagram post.
John Cusack
The actor, who played Wilson in the 2014 biopic Love & Mercy, paid tribute to the musician on X.
“The maestro has passed — the man was [an] open heart with two legs — with an ear that heard the angels. Quite literally. Love and Mercy for you and yours tonight. RIP Brian,” he wrote.
Beach Boys
The Beach Boys posted a touching tribute to their late bandmate on Instagram hours after his death was announced.
“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,” the post began.
The statement continued, “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.”
After noting that they were “heartbroken” by Wilson’s passing, the band — which currently includes Mike Love and Bruce Johnston — said they would “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.”
The post concluded, “Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Al Jardine
“Brian Wilson, my friend, my classmate, my football teammate, my Beach Boy bandmate and my brother in spirit, I will always feel blessed that you were in our lives for as long as you were,” the Beach Boys cofounder said in a statement. “I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with Carl and Dennis, singing those beautiful harmonies again. You were a humble giant who always made me laugh and we will celebrate your music forever. Brian, I’ll really miss you…still I have the warmth of the sun within me tonight ☀️ 🎶 ❤️.”
Lucian Grainge
“Brian Wilson was one of the most talented singer-songwriters in the history of recorded music,” the chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group said in a statement. “Not only did his songs capture the spirit of youth, joy and longing in ways that still inspire millions of fans around the world, his innovative work in the studio transformed the way musicians record even to this day. Brian made an indelible mark, and our thoughts are with his family in this time of loss.”
Nancy Sinatra
“His cherished music will live forever as he travels through the Universe and beyond. God bless you, sweet Brian,” the singer wrote via Instagram. “One of the biggest thrills of my life was singing ‘California Girls’ with Brian.”
John Stamos
The Full House alum, who has played drums with The Beach Boys many times, shared a lengthy tribute to Wilson via Instagram. “Brian Wilson didn’t just soundtrack my life…he filled it with color, with wonder, with some of the most unforgettable, emotional, joyful moments I’ve ever known,” Stamos wrote. “It’s hard to put into words what it meant to stand beside him, laugh with him, play his music with him. Brian wasn’t just a musical genius, he was a gentle, soulful, funny, complex, beautiful man. He heard things no one else could hear. He felt things deeper than most of us ever will. And somehow, he turned all of that into music that wrapped itself around the world and made us all feel less alone.”
The actor continued, “I grew up worshipping the Beach Boys, never imagining one day I’d get to play with them, let alone call Brian a friend. Brian gave the world Pet Sounds, God Only Knows, and Wouldn’t It Be Nice. Songs that didn’t just play in the background of our lives, they shaped who we were. They shaped who I became. His music made me feel things I didn’t know how to say. It made me want to make people feel the way his music made me feel. So much of my life and career, so much of me, exists because of what Brian created. To Carnie, Wendy, the lovely Marilyn, to everyone who loved him, and especially to Mike. My heart is with you. Brian once said, ‘Music is God’s voice.’ I believe he was right, and now that voice, his voice, is part of the divine chorus. The music didn’t end. Rest easy, Brian. Thank you for the music. Thank you for the moments. I’ll carry them with me -forever.”
Elton John
“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,” the singer wrote via Instagram. “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.”
Carnie Wilson
“I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now. My Father @brianwilsonlive was every fiber of my body. He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends,” Wilson’s daughter wrote via Instagram. “I am lucky to have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him that will live on always. I’ve never felt this kind of pain before, but I know he’s resting up there in heaven … or maybe playing the piano for Grandma Audree his Mom. I will post something else soon but this is all my hands will let me type. I love you Daddy….I miss so much you already.”
Mike Love
Wilson’s cousin and Beach Boys cofounder shared his own statement via social media, writing, “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.”
Paul McCartney
“Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special,” the Beatles member wrote via Instagram. “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.”
Bob Dylan
“Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I’ve been listening to him and admiring his genius,” the singer-songwriter tweeted. “Rest in peace dear Brian.”
Keith Richards
“Rest in Peace!” the Rolling Stones guitarist wrote via Instagram alongside an excerpt from his memoir, Life, where he discussed how much he loved Wilson’s music.
Carole King
“Brian Wilson was my friend and my brother in songwriting,” the singer said in a post shared via Facebook. “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.”
Questlove
“I know [Roy] Orbison is the king of emo, but man if there was a human being who made art out of inexpressible sadness …. damn it was Brian Wilson,” the Roots drummer wrote via Instagram.
James Hetfield
“I think ‘God Only Knows’ that song is, like, one of the best written songs ever and thank you, Brian, for that,” the Metallica frontman told the Associated Press. “May you rest in peace, we’re going to miss you.”
Mick Fleetwood
“Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson’s genius magical touch !!” the Fleetwood Mac drummer tweeted. “And greatly saddened of this major worldly loss!! My thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
Ringo Starr
“God bless Brian, peace and love to all the family, peace and love Ringo and Barbara,” the Beatles drummer tweeted.
Maggie Rogers
“First Sly, now Brian … this is really just … ,” the singer wrote via her Instagram Story, adding a heartbroken emoji.
John Cale
“To me, Brian Wilson was not merely about surf music, rather a true musical genius toiling away at melding POP into startling sophistication,” the Velvet Underground musician tweeted. “He will he be [sic] missed mightily.”
Micky Dolenz
“Brian Wilson was a musical and spiritual giant,” the Monkees drummer wrote via X. “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.”
Gene Simmons
“Sadly, Brian Wilson has passed away. Songwriter, visionary,” the Kiss cofounder tweeted. “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.”
Paul Stanley
“Brian Wilson Has Died. ‘Genius’ is a term used too often and too loosely. ‘Tortured Genius’ even more so,” the Kiss vocalist wrote via X. “Brian’s astonishing output of musical brilliance will bring joy while it influences generations to come. Thank you Brian and Rest In Peace.”
Christopher Cross
“Words can’t express what Brian Wilson meant to me as a songwriter,” the musician tweeted. “I was so fortunate to call him a friend. He was a genuine hero who taught me everything I know about music. Rest in peace, my friend.”
