More Brian Wilson Tributes

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

 

BBFC

Alice Lillie: Brian Wilson was one of the great loves of my life in a lot of ways. I’d wanted so much to meet him beginning 1963 right up until that cold, rainy late afternoon in, I believe 1970. I was in Lindbergh Nutrition when I saw what I thought was a life-size cardboard cutout of Brian. It couldn’t be the real thing! No way so I thought. But it was! And what a friendly guy; we spoke briefly.
Later, possibly in 1971, I was at home reading an article about Brian in Rolling Stone magazine. It said he had opened a health food store called the Radiant Radish and was manning the store himself. In 30 seconds I was out the door! I got there and was told he had stopped three days earlier but still spent time there. Brian was never one to plan ahead so I’d have to make multiple visits there if I wanted to see him. So, I did! Finally, one evening he was there! We chatted at great length, possibly an hour. Time stood still so I really don’t know.
But I could never get over how he acted like just an ordinary young fellow. No rockstarness about him. We chatted about any number of things ranging from music, how I love Bach along with rock, to The Beach Boys’ concert in Anaheim a few years before when the guys had said Brian couldn’t make it because he was pregnant. We thought that was hilarious.
I’ll never forget that at the adjacent check stands the clerks were listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Every time I hear CSNY I remember that golden evening. Before I left, Brian said, “I’m always looking for friends.” I said, “Well, you’ve found one.”
And every time I was privileged to speak to Brian, he always remembered exactly who I was and was most cordial.
Fast forward to Wednesday, June 11, 2025. I drive into Palm Springs [for an event], and am just walking into the hotel when my phone rings. I look and see that it is a dear friend from British Columbia. She says, “Are you sitting down?” I say I’m not and I won’t be. After she tells me I’d better, I finally say, “Hey, I’m a big girl, just sock it to me.” So, she does, and the blood goes to my feet. There’s a pillar to grab, which I do. She asks if I’m still there. “Yes, are you sure about this?” She says, “Yes, it’s on the news.” I’d been listening to current hits on Sirius XM. I was numb. ... As the day slowly passed, the news became definite and sank in.
This is one loss the whole world will feel. All I could think of was his family, those wonderful kids of his, who held him up so wonderfully after he lost Melinda. These are all in my thoughts daily. So many who were blessed to be close to him. And, those further away like me who lost a real friend.
— President, Beach Boys Fan Club; June 14, 2025

 
COLLEAGUES

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.
—Al Jardine’s son, Beach Boys Band and Brian Wilson Band; 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....
—Beach Boys Band; 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.
—Brian Wilson Band and Beach Boys Band; 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.
—Beach Boys Band; June 11, 2025

Fred Vail: I was blessed, truly blessed, to know Brian and to be welcomed into the Wilson family for all these years, and now Brian, Dennis and Carl are together again singing those fabulous Wilson family harmonies. I can hear them now as if they were singing in our kitchen with me as I write this tribute. Thank God for Brian Wilson — the Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven of the baby boomer generation. RIP dear friend.
—The Beach Boys’ first promoter; June 11, 2025

Stephen W. Desper: When Brian and I were 24-years old, we met. He, an accomplished songwriter/producer with a well-established career, and me an audio engineer new to Hollywood. Our chance meeting became an entanglement going on 59 years ... and the rest is history. Now, the Wilson brothers are reunited and I'm certain are making transcendental celestial harmonies, as life is eternal -- God Only Knows.
I remember Brian being a humble, yet complex person. Easy to be creative with, but harder to be with; a man of few spoken words, but of many written to song.
He was always respectful of my ideas, while I was in awe of his. Yet, he made me, and my contributions feel welcome, appreciated, important and maybe useful.
My love to all those whose lives were influenced by Brian's incredible and far-reaching touch. Close or far, direct or just-tangible, the attitudes toward the good times of life and memories we all have experienced through Brian's music is unquestionably supreme.
I know I will be thinking and reflecting on all those many times I spent much happiness in friendship with Brian and on the creative level with both of us having the best times ever. Until I too meet up again with the brother's Wilson ... Brian! It’s the big Take Two!! RIP my dear friend.
—Recording engineer for The Beach Boys; June 11, 2025

John Stamos: Brian Wilson didn’t just soundtrack my life... he filled it with color, with wonder, with some of the most unforgettable, emotional, joyful moments I’ve ever known.
It’s hard to put into words what it meant to stand beside him, laugh with him, play his music with him. Brian wasn’t just a musical genius, he was a gentle, soulful, funny, complex, beautiful man. He heard things no one else could hear. He felt things deeper than most of us ever will. And somehow, he turned all of that into music that wrapped itself around the world and made us all feel less alone.
I grew up worshipping The Beach Boys, never imagining one day I’d get to play with them, let alone call Brian a friend.
Brian gave the world Pet Sounds, “God Only Knows,” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Songs that didn’t just play in the background of our lives, they shaped who we were. They shaped who I became. His music made me feel things I didn’t know how to say. It made me want to make people feel the way his music made me feel. So much of my life and career, so much of me, exists because of what Brian created.
To Carnie, Wendy, the lovely Marilyn, to everyone who loved him, and especially to Mike. My heart is with you. Brian once said, “Music is God’s voice.” I believe he was right, and now that voice, his voice, is part of the divine chorus. The music didn’t end.
Rest easy, Brian. Thank you for the music. Thank you for the moments. I’ll carry them with me — forever.
—Actor, honorary Beach Boys Band member; 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.
—Graphic designer for Brian Wilson solo projects; June 11, 2025

John Cusack: The maestro has passed -- the man was an open heart with two legs — with an ear that heard the angels. Quite literally. Love and Mercy for you and yours tonight. RIP Brian.
—Actor who played the older Brian in Love & Mercy; June 12, 2025

 

 

 

Photo: Creative Commons

Maintained by the webteam • Last updated June 20, 2025