Beach Boys ‘genius’ Brian Wilson honored by fellow stars as tributes pour in following his death aged 82

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Following the passing of Brian Wilson, the founding member of The Beach Boys, at the age of 82, tributes flooded in from his fellow music industry stars in recognition of his incredible legacy.

The artist who composed “God Only Knows” became widely recognized as the lead singer of the Beach Boys, where he also took on the role of the band’s main composer and shared the lead vocals with another member.

The previous year, following the passing of his long-term spouse Melinda, it was disclosed that he had been diagnosed with a condition resembling dementia, which is a neurocognitive disorder.

On Wednesday, when the news of his passing was announced, his devoted fans rushed to social media platforms to express their sorrow. Among them was Elton John, who posted an old picture of them as a heartfelt tribute.

John recalled that Brian Wilson had been incredibly kind to him ever since they first met. In 2003, Brian performed ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’ at a tribute concert, which was an unforgettable experience for John. They collaborated on several projects, with John playing on Brian’s solo albums and Brian lending his voice to John’s album “The Union.” Additionally, Brian even performed for John’s AIDS Foundation.

I deeply developed an affection for him not just as an individual, but also as a profound source of inspiration in my songwriting. To me, he was the most impactful figure in shaping my musical compositions; he was a genius and trailblazer in the realm of music. He fundamentally altered the boundaries of songwriting and left an indelible mark on music history. Truly, he towered above the rest.

Mick Fleetwood, a legendary member of Fleetwood Mac, expressed gratitude towards Brian Wilson’s exceptional talent, stating that anyone with an appreciation for music should feel thankful for his enchanting influence!

deeply grieved by such a significant global loss… My sympathies are with Mick Fleetwood, his loved ones, and the entire Fleetwood Mac community.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I was among many notable figures who held dear memories of Wilson. The likes of Sean Ono Lennon, son of the legendary John Lennon and Yoko Ono, also fondly recalled him.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, let me express my deep sorrow over the passing of Brian Wilson. Few individuals have left an imprint on my creative spirit quite like him.

I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity I had to encounter him and share moments together. His kindness and generosity were truly remarkable, making him stand out. In essence, he was like our own Mozart from America, a unique genius beyond comparison, as he stated.

In a sympathetic tone, Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones expressed his sorrow on Twitter, saying: “Oh dear, Brian Wilson and Sly Stone both gone within a week. My heart is heavy with sadness.

Wilson is fortunate to have two biological daughters, Carnie (age 57) and Wendy (age 55), whom he shared with his first spouse Marilyn, alongside five adopted children – Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan, and Dash – who he raised with Melinda.

On his official Instagram account, it was announced by his kids that Wilson had passed away this past Wednesday, along with what seemed to be a recently taken photograph.

‘With great sadness, we share the news that our cherished father, Brian Wilson, has sadly left us. Currently, we find ourselves speechless.’

‘At present, let’s please uphold our privacy as our family is going through a difficult time due to loss. We understand that our sorrow might be visible to everyone, but we’re all dealing with it. Sending love and compassion.’

In 1961, Wilson established The Beach Boys alongside his brothers Dennis and Carl, his cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine.

The Beach Boys were founded by Wilson in 1961; this included his siblings Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love, and pal Al Jardine.

Initially known as the Pendletones, this band burst onto the music scene in 1961 with a hit single titled “Surfin'”. The song was penned by Brian Wilson and Mike Love.

As a lifestyle connoisseur looking back at the groovy ’60s, I found myself deeply enamored with a band whose tunes became the soundtrack of my American summer. From “Surfin’ Safari,” to “Surfin’ U.S.A.” and “Surfer Girl,” their albums were the perfect companions for those endless days by the sea.

In 1966, the song “God Only Knows” became famous as it was praised as ‘the best song ever composed’ by Paul McCartney, a legendary member of The Beatles.

Apart from their innovative music, the band also portrayed a captivating picture of laid-back Californian living, filled with sunshine, palm trees, denim, and the scent of the ocean.

Wilson’s association with the Beach Boys underwent significant changes due to his three nervous breakdowns, which occurred in 1964 and continued for a few more years.

Instead of going on tour, he quickly stepped away but managed to keep his influence behind the scenes within the band, serving as a songwriter and producer. He was instrumental in creating their 1966 masterpiece “Pet Sounds” and contributed lead vocals to numerous tracks.

Initially, the album “Pet Sounds” didn’t perform well financially, yet it eventually gained recognition as one of the greatest pop/rock albums ever produced.

Paul McCartney acknowledges that Pet Sounds significantly impacted him, inspiring him to compose more innovatively for The Beatles, which eventually culminated in their groundbreaking album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, being influenced by it.

In 1990, McCartney stated, ‘Initially, Brian wrote it.’ He expressed his admiration for the album, going as far as buying each of his children a copy to enrich their lives musically – he believes no one is truly musically educated until they’ve heard that album. He was particularly drawn to the writing and the songs.

During the 1960s, Wilson found himself deeply engrossed in drug abuse, particularly LSD. His growing addiction and mental health struggles led him to gradually distance himself from public life.

In my personal experience as a lifestyle guide, one individual I encountered struggled with persistent paranoia and auditory hallucinations for several decades. These experiences significantly impacted his daily life and well-being.

In a fascinating twist, I found myself deeply immersed in the world of psychedelics, which oddly enough, fueled my creativity rather than hindered it. As I journeyed through these mind-bending experiences, I was inspired to compose one of the Beach Boys’ most iconic tunes – “Good Vibrations” (1966) – while under the influence of LSD.

The album “Pet Sounds,” featuring standout tracks like “God Only Knows” and “I Know There’s an Answer,” was significantly impacted by Brian Wilson’s exploration with psychedelic substances as well.

By the mid-1970s, his drug habit extended to heroin, and he grew increasingly isolated as his union with singer Marilyn Rovell started deteriorating slowly.

In the mid-1970s, he began using heroin and withdrew from society as his marriage to singer Marilyn Rovell was falling apart.

After receiving therapy, he made a comeback in 1976, once more performing with the Beach Boys. The band’s motto proudly declared, “Brian is Back!”

Or:

With therapy, he managed to re-emerge in 1976, joining the Beach Boys on tour again, as their slogan boasted, “Brian’s Back!”

Or:

Thanks to therapy, he resurfaced in 1976, teaming up with the Beach Boys once more. The band celebrated his return with the slogan, “Brian is Back!

He frequently found himself alternating between excessive eating and drug use, periods of seclusion from the public followed by spectacular returns.

By the 1990s, he found himself embroiled in disputes with several former associates due to disagreements about payment for royalties and accusations of libel against them in his published memoirs. This situation even led to a legal action initiated by his own mother.

In the 1980s, he kicked off his independent music journey, which persisted into the 1990s as his distance from the rest of the Beach Boys grew more pronounced.

By 2006, he and Al Jardine embarked on a joint tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Pet Sounds, while by 2012, the Beach Boys’ band (with Wilson back in it) reunited for their 50th anniversary tour.

During that particular year, The Beach Boys put out their last studio album titled “That’s Why God Made the Radio.” This record was masterfully produced by Brian Wilson and achieved widespread commercial acclaim.

In 1995, Melinda, who was Wilson’s second and last spouse, got married to him. He referred to her as his ‘savior’ in a heartbreaking declaration he made upon her passing the previous year.

In a shared interview ten years ago, the pair admitted that Wilson continued to experience persistent voices in his head (auditory hallucinations).

In a conversation with Salon, accompanied by his wife in 2015, he clarified that there are multiple voices in his mind. These voices are predominantly negative, but some can be cheerful. However, the majority of them are not positive.

In early February, following Melinda’s passing, Wilson’s relatives initiated proceedings to appoint a conservator for him, disclosing that he had been diagnosed with a condition similar to dementia.

The documents obtained by The Blast indicate that they noted he frequently spoke impulsively with comments that were either off-topic or nonsensical, had a very brief ability to focus, and despite not intending to do so, often disrupted situations due to his inability to behave appropriately for the occasion.

Hey there! As a devoted admirer of yours, I must say, Melinda, your presence has been indispensable in ensuring Wilson’s daily living. Her absence, unfortunately, has left him struggling to cater to his own essential needs – physical health, food, clothing, and shelter. It’s as if a vital pillar has been removed from his life.

Wilson was last spotted in public during an outing on April 2024; he appeared weak while being wheeled into a Los Angeles Lakers match.

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2025-06-11 23:19