Tributes have poured in following news that The Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson has died at the age of 82.
The band shared a poignant statement honouring the man they described as the “soul of our sound”, before his devastated daughter and renowned musician Carnie Wilson, 57, said she had “no words” to express her sadness.
“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 began their post.
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“Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys – he was the soul of our sound.”
They continued: “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 concluded they are “heartbroken” by the loss, but will continue to cherish the timeless music they made together over the last few decades.
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“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.”
Meanwhile his daughter Carnie, 57, noted how “lucky” she was to have been his daughter.
“I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now,” she wrote alongside a photo of her and sister Wendy Wilson.
“My Father @brianwilsonlive was every fiber of my body. He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends.
“I am lucky to have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him that will live on always. I’ve never felt this kind of pain before, but I know he’s resting up there in heaven… or maybe playing the piano for Grandma Audree his Mom.
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“I will post something else soon but this is all my hands will let me type. I love you Daddy…. I miss so much you already.”
The band’s vocalist Mike Love also took to Instagram to pay tribute.
“Today, the world lost a genius, and I lost a cousin by blood and my partner in music.
“Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys – he was the soul of our sound,” he wrote in a lengthy post.
“From the first time we sang together as kids in my living room, I knew there was something otherworldly in him. His musical gifts were unmatched. The melodies he dreamed up, the emotions he poured into every note – Brian changed the course of music forever.”
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He said their journey together was filled with moments of “brilliance, heartbreak, laughter and complexity” but above all else, “LOVE.”
“Like all families, we had our ups and downs. But through it all, we never stopped loving each other, and I never stopped being in awe of what he could do when he sat at a piano or his spontaneity in the studio,” he continued.
“Brian’s unique artistry and our collaboration gave the world the American dream of optimism, joy, and a sense of freedom – music that made people feel good, made them believe in an endless summer and endless possibilities. It was one of the greatest blessings of my life to experience that creative space with him.
“It was our privilege to make the world believe in sunshine, surfing, and teenage dreams. My life was forever changed by Pet Sounds, God Only Knows, In My Room, Good Vibrations, The Warmth of the Sun and a hundred other pieces of his soul wrapped in music. He allowed us to show the world what vulnerability and brilliance sound like in harmony. He was fragile, he was intense, he was funny – and he was one of a kind.”
He said himself and his wife Jacquelyne were “heartbroken” by the news.
“She stood beside me through so many chapters of this story, and we both send our love and prayers to Brian’s family, his children, and all who were touched by his life and gifts,” he wrote.
“Brian, you once asked, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we were older?” Now you are timeless. May you rest in the peace you so deeply deserve, surrounded by the heavenly music you helped create. May your spirit soar as high as your falsetto, may your wings spread in effortless flight.
“Thank you for the harmonies, the memories, and the love. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal. I’ll miss you forever, my beloved cousin – Mike.”
Wilson’s family announced the sad news of his passing on his website.
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“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” his family wrote in the statement shared on Instagram and his official website.
“We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving.
“We realise that we are sharing our grief with the world.”
Born in 1942, he was a musical prodigy who, alongside his brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine, revolutionised popular music in the 1960s.
Despite a childhood scarred by his father’s abuse, becoming partially deaf, and the years of haunting voices in his head from schizoaffective disorder, the two-time Grammy Award winner went on to become the “reigning king of pop melody,” as the Denver Post once put it.
Over the course of the 1960s The Beach Boys became one of the most beloved musical acts in America, releasing albums like God Only Knows, Surfin’ U.S.A. and Surfer Girl.
The musician was instrumental in crafting the band’s iconic sound, blending intricate vocal harmonies with sophisticated arrangements.
Brian lost his beloved wife Melinda in January last year at the age of 77.
He had seven children; daughter, Carnie, born in 1968 and his second daughter, Wendy, born in 1969 with his ex-wife Marilyn Wilson.
He then adopted five children with his wife Melinda; Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash.
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