In Memoriam:

BRIAN DOUGLAS WILSON
June 20, 1942 – June 11, 2025

These pages are dedicated to the memory of our beloved Brian Wilson.

 

Brian Wilson, principal songwriter, producer, and co-founder of The Beach Boys, passed away on June 11, 2025. Brian is survived by his five daughters (Carnie and Wendy Wilson of Wilson Phillips, Daria, Delanie, and Dakota) and his two sons (Dylan and Dash), his grandchildren (Lola and Lucy Bonfiglio; Leo, Beau, Will, and Jesse Knutson), his cousin and fellow Beach Boy Mike Love — and perhaps the most unique musical catalog in the history of American popular music.

Brian has been widely hailed as one of the greatest musical forces of his lifetime, for his masterful songwriting, innovative record production techniques, complex vocal harmonies, and inventive chord structures.

Writing with various lyrical partners (Gary Usher, Roger Christian, Van Dyke Parks, Tony Asher, and especially Mike Love), Brian created a string of hits and classics with The Beach Boys, an opus filled with breezy and/or introspective tunes, layered with the Boys' harmonies, Brian's clear falsetto on top. Songs like “Surfer Girl,” “In My Room,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “Don't Worry Baby,” “The Warmth of the Sun,” “"California Girls,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “God Only Knows,” “Wouldn't It Be Nice,” “Caroline No,” “Heroes & Villains,” “Surf's Up,” “Darlin',” “Wild Honey,” “This Whole World,” “Add Some Music,” “Til I Die,” “Sail On, Sailor” — just to name a few. The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds album is consistently cited as Brian's masterpiece.

Following the passing of brother Carl Wilson in 1998, Brian set out on a successful solo recording and touring career, highlighted by the release of Brian Wilson Presents Smile, a finished, performable version of his unfinished 1967 Beach Boys project Smile. The single “Mrs. O'Leary's Cow” from BWPS won Brian his first Grammy award. A box set of The Beach Boys' The Smile Sessions was released in 2011, for which Brian won a second Grammy. Brian reunited with The Beach Boys in 2012 for a 50th anniversary celebration tour and The Beach Boys' final album of new material, That's Why God Made the Radio.

Brian was the subject of numerous film and video documentaries, as well as a feature film, Love & Mercy, named for Brian's signature solo anthem, and starring Paul Dano as the younger Brian and John Cusack as the older Brian.

Brian was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Beach Boys in 1988, and received a Grammy Hall of Fame award with the group in 2001. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000 and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2007, among other awards given to him.
 

TRIBUTES

THE BEACH BOYS

Mike Love: “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys — he was the soul of our sound. 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.

Our journey together was filled with moments of brilliance, heartbreak, laughter, complexity and most of all, 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.

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.

My wife, Jacquelyne, and I are heartbroken. 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.

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.”
— June 11, 2025

Alan Jardine: “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. 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 within me tonight.”
—June 11, 2025

Blondie Chaplin: “Sad, but beautiful memories of Buddy Boy, a real good person I will miss him dearly. My heart is shook up and broken from all the times we’ve spoken of music and how important it is for the soul. Amen”
—June 11, 2025

 
FAMILY

Carnie Wilson: “My Father Brian Wilson 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. I love you Daddy.... I miss so much you already.”
—June 11, 2025

Wendy Wilson: “Today I said goodbye to my beloved Dad and I will miss him with all of my heart forever. I am so proud of you Daddy in every way! Rest in peace and I love you.”
—June 11, 2025

Kevin Love: “The Love family is deeply saddened by the loss of Brian Wilson. A musical and creative genius. He was revolutionary in his songwriting and arranging. Growing up around my uncle Mike and The Beach Boys I absorbed much of their influence within Rock & Roll.

My Dad [Stan Love] and Brian had a special relationship, Brian often staying with my parents when they lived in Emerald Bay. For a period of time my Dad was both his caretaker and bodyguard — particularly during a period when Brian was struggling with mental health and substance abuse. Dad would tell stories of getting him out of the house and onto the basketball court at the local YMCA. I have fond memories of the countless original slides and photos of Brian that my family would often share with us....

I personally admire Brian’s true creative resilience despite mental health challenges. Beauty amid turmoil. We can all stand to learn from that. His impact, not just in music, is felt across many generations and will be for generations to come.”
—June 11, 2025

 
COLLEAGUES

Paul McCartney: “Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while. How we will continue without Brian Wilson, ‘God Only Knows.’”
—June 12, 2025

Matt Jardine: “I spent the morning trying to process this incredibly sad news about someone who has been a part of my world since the day I was born. I was flooded with all of these ‘Brian’ memories that I shared with my family. Sweet, funny and now precious memories from when I was a kid, to adolescence and of course into adulthood and all of the times I was fortunate enough to be on the road or in the studio with Brian. What a huge blessing that I got to share space in this world with him.

Gentle Brian, I am beyond thankful to have grown up in this musical world and musical family that you created for us. Thank you for sharing your love and soul with us and for trusting me to sing your music. It has been an honor.

It's a great comfort to know that you're with your Mom Audree, Dennis and Carl but you will be greatly missed down here. Listen out for me, I'll be singing for you.”
—June 11, 2025

Bobby Figueroa: “Today I and the world around me lost one of its finest persons and one of its best artists the great Brian Wilson. I was blessed to know and share the stage and even the studio with this genius of our times. Rest in glory my friend and thank you for everything you’ve done for all of us. Over the mountain across the sea....”
—June 11, 2025

Darian Sahanaja: “My heart goes out to his family and bandmates old and new. We knew it wasn't a matter of IF but WHEN. And I’m now relieved that a man who had suffered nearly every day of his life in a struggle to find some peace and love, is suffering no more. And without getting overly New Testament here, I’ve always felt that it was through his struggle, his yearning, his reaching to find a better place that we were given such beautiful music. ... Thank you Brian for giving us even the smallest glimpse of it.”
—June 11, 2025

Scott Totten: “Others will speak more eloquently about your legacy. I want to just say that I am so very lucky to have toured with you and performed your wonderful music for so many years. Now go sing some harmonies with your brothers.”
—June 11, 2025

Mark London: “So hard to come up with words right now. All I can do is feel the love in my heart this man has given me for my entire life musically and nearly half of my life as a dear friend. There will never be another. We were all so lucky.”
—June 11, 2025

 

Page 2: More tributes from family, friends, and colleagues.
 

 

Photo Credit: Takahiro Kyono, 2012 • Creative Commons
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Maintained by the webteam • Last updated June 13, 2025