News of Brian Wilson’s death left bandmate Mike Love speechless, says honorary Beach Boy John Stamos
As a devoted fan of the Beach Boys, I stood by Mike Love’s side when we learned of our bandmate, Brian Wilson’s passing on Wednesday. It fell upon me, John Stamos, to share this devastating news with Mike, who is not only his cousin but also his longtime collaborator.
According to Stamos, who is part of the Beach Boys family, he told Mike that his cousin had passed away. Mike’s face showed no emotion, and they remained silent in the car for around two and a half hours without him saying a word.
82-year-old Brian Wilson, famously known as the mastermind behind the Beach Boys, passed away on Wednesday. The news was shared via social media and his official website by Wilson’s family, expressing their deep sorrow with a statement that read, “We find ourselves at a loss for words right now.” No explicit cause of death has been disclosed, but it is known that Wilson was diagnosed with dementia in 2024 and was placed under conservatorship. The Beach Boys were established by Wilson together with his brothers Dennis and Carl, as well as cousin Mike Love, back in 1961. Throughout the years, Wilson faced numerous mental health struggles and battles with drug addiction.
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82-year-old Brian Wilson, renowned for crafting a distinctive soundscape from Southern California with his string of successful Beach Boys tunes, has passed away.
In this rephrased version, I aimed to maintain the original meaning while using simpler and more conversational language to make it easier to read and understand.
61-year-old Stamos reflected on a poignant moment during Thursday’s Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York. Among the new inductees were George Clinton, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, and the Doobie Brothers, but it was Brian Wilson and Carl Love (of the Beach Boys) who held particular significance for Stamos. Although Love remained silent upon learning of Wilson’s passing, Stamos shared, “I could sense his emotions.” The actor, who has collaborated with the Beach Boys for several decades, also discussed Love and Wilson’s bond, commenting on their ability to create beautiful music together.
At the Songwriters Hall of Fame event, Stamos referred to Love as “my musical compatriot” during his introduction. This affectionate title was also used in his social media post honoring Wilson on Wednesday, further emphasizing their bond.
In his recollections about The Beach Boys’ early days, Love expressed that Brian Wilson wasn’t merely the emotional core of the band; instead, he was the very essence behind the unique sound we came to know.
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Wilson leaves a singularly inventive, exultant body of work that scripted California to the world.
In his touching tribute, he expressed: “Our time together was a blend of splendid instances, sorrowful periods, joyous laughter, intricate episodes, and above all, an abundance of LOVE. Just like any family, we had our highs and lows. Yet, despite the trials, our love for one another remained unwavering. He never ceased to amaze me with his piano compositions or his creative impulses in the studio.
Stamos was part of the well-known individuals who expressed their tribute to Wilson on social platforms. This group included Elton John, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones, Mick Fleetwood, Bruce Springsteen, Nancy Sinatra, and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Each of them paid their respects to Wilson.
In a statement, Newsom noted that Wilson’s impact on modern music was profound, shaping the Beach Boys into not just the quintessential American band of their time, but also the iconic California band to the present day. He skillfully encapsulated the allure and enchantment of California, spreading it worldwide and influencing generations.
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It’s not surprising in the least that one of The Beach Boys’ original members was open to experimenting with various music genres, instruments, or trends within his compositions. This is why it makes perfect sense that at the dawn of the ’90s, he produced a rap song called “Smart Girls.
The Beach Boys pioneered a distinctively Californian musical style, with hits like “Surfer Girl”, “California Girls”, and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” becoming particularly well-known.
Wilson has left behind six offspring, among them daughters Carnie and Wendy. Together with Chynna Phillips, the child of the Mamas and the Papas, they formed two-thirds of the Grammy-nominated pop vocal group Wilson Phillips. Tragically, his wife Melinda passed away in January 2024. Prior to him, his brother Dennis perished in 1983 during a diving accident in Marina Del Rey, and Carl, another sibling, succumbed to lung cancer in 1998.
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2025-06-14 00:01