The Beach Boys in their classic striped shirts. Brian Wilson is bottom right.
Dear Commons Community,
Brian Wilson, the heart and soul of the 60s rock group, The Beach Boys, died yesterday at the age of 82.
The family of Wilson, who was a founding member of The Beach Boys, confirmed his death on Instagram, writing: “We are heartbroken to announce 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 is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”
Soon after the news broke, celebrities took to social media to share their condolences.
Elton John posted on Instagram calling Wilson “the biggest influence on my songwriting ever.”
“Brian Wilson was always so kind to me from the day I met him,” John said. “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,” John continued. “He was a musical genius and revolutionary. He changed the goalposts when it came to writing songs and shaped music forever. A true giant.”
Bob Dylan posted his condolences on X.
“Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I’ve been listening to him and admiring his genius,” Dylan wrote. “Rest in peace dear Brian.”
The Beach Boys themselves shared a tribute on Instagram, writing in part, “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.”
In the 1960s, there were so many great rock groups including the Rolling Stones, the Temptations, the Four Tops, etc. but The Beach Boys had a sound that was all theirs. Brian Wilson made it so!
May he rest in peace!
Tony
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