The Beach Boys themselves are paying tribute to Brian Wilson after his family confirmed the news of his death on Wednesday.
“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,” the band wrote on their official Instagram account Wednesday. “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.”
The band further said they were “heartbroken by his passing.”
“We will continue to cherish the timeless music we made together and the joy he brought to millions over the decades,” the Beach Boys wrote. “And while we will miss him deeply, his legacy will live on through his songs and in our memories.”
Al Jardine, one of the founding members of The Beach Boys, gave a separate statement beyond the band’s well. “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,” Jardine said. “I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with Carl and Dennis, singing those beautiful harmonies again.”
Jardine and Wilson were two of the original Beach Boys, alongside Mike Love and Wilson’s two brothers, Carl and Dennis. The three Wilson brothers, their cousin Love and their friend Jardine officially formed the band in 1961. As Jardine referenced, Carl Wilson died in 1998, while Dennis Wilson died in 1983.
“You were a humble giant who always made me laugh and we will celebrate your music forever,” Jardine said. Brian, I’ll really miss you …still I have the warmth of the sun within me tonight.”
After Wilson’s family confirmed his death, tributes began pouring in for the late icon. Elton John said on Instagram that Wilson was “the biggest influence on my songwriting ever.”
John Stamos, who has performed with The Beach Boys, including during their stint on Full House, shared a tribute on 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.”