The Beach Boys paid tribute to co-founder and musical genius Brian Wilson Wednesday after his family announced his death — calling him the “soul” of their surf rock sound.
“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 Beach Boys wrote on their official Instagram account. “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.”
Wilson died at 82. His cause of death has not been revealed.
“His unparalleled talent and unique spirit created the soundtrack of so many lives around the globe, including our own,” the post added. “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.”
Wilson’s cousin and the group’s co-founder, Mike Love, posted a video montage that featured the iconic hitmaker over the years.
“From the first time we sang together as kids in my living room, I knew there was something otherworldly in him,” Love wrote alongside the video. “His musical gifts were unmatched. The melodies he dreamed up, the emotions he poured into every note—Brian changed the course of music forever.”
Love ended the touching tribute, writing, “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 [and] may your wings spread in effortless flight.”
Rhythm guitarist Al Jardine also remembered his former bandmate on Instagram.
“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 wrote. “I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with Carl and Dennis, singing those beautiful harmonies again. You were a humble giant who always made me laugh and we will celebrate your music forever. Brian, I’ll really miss you…still I have the warmth of the sun.”
The group was founded in 1961 in Hawthorne, Calif., by brothers Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Love, and school friend Jardine, according to the band’s website.
In 1964, Wilson stopped touring with the band after having a panic attack on a flight to Houston so he shifted his contributions to composing hits like “Good Vibrations,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows.”
He remained an on-and-off band member for decades and released his first solo album in 1988.
Wilson had seven kids, including daughters Carnie and Wendy, who formed the four-time Grammy-nominated pop group Wilson Phillips.
“I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now,” his daughter Carnie Wilson wrote on Instagram. “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.”
