The music world is in mourning following the death of Beach Boys co-founder and pop music visionary Brian Wilson, who passed away at the age of 82.
Tributes have poured in from musicians, actors and fans across the globe, honouring the man whose harmonies shaped a generation and whose emotional depth redefined the sound of modern music.
In a moving tribute, The Beach Boys’ official Instagram account shared a heartfelt statement:
“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. 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.
“We are 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. And while we will miss him deeply, his legacy will live on through his songs and in our memories.
“Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and his loved ones during this difficult time.”
Actor John Cusack, who portrayed Wilson in the 2014 biopic Love & Mercy, offered a poignant tribute on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“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.”
Legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards shared a message on Instagram alongside an excerpt from his memoir Life, reflecting on Wilson’s early influence on British rockers of the ’60s.
“When we first got to America and to LA, there was a lot of Beach Boys on the radio… ‘Round, round get around / I get around,’ I thought that was brilliant. Rest in Peace!”
His bandmate Ronnie Wood also expressed his sadness on X, writing:
“Oh no Brian Wilson and Sly Stone in one week ~ my world is in mourning. So sad.”
American band America added their voices to the chorus of tributes via Instagram, calling Wilson “a dear friend, inspiration and mentor for decades.”
“Rest in peace BRIAN WILSON… with love, Dewey & Gerry.”
Singer Nancy Sinatra shared a touching photo with Wilson and wrote:
“His cherished music will live forever as he travels through the Universe and beyond. God bless you, sweet Brian. One of the biggest thrills of my life was singing California Girls with Brian.”
Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood also paid tribute, writing:
“Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson’s genius magical touch! And greatly saddened by this major worldly loss! My thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
Wilson’s music — from Surfin’ USA to God Only Knows — remains etched into pop history, but these tributes speak to the man behind the melodies: a generous spirit, a creative force, and a true original whose sound will echo for generations to come.
