Paul McCartney is paying tribute to music icon Brian Wilson following the death Wednesday of the Beach Boys co-founder.
“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,” McCartney wrote in a post on Instagram. “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’”.
The Beatle has described the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” as one of “the best songs ever written”, a fitting conclusion to his tribute.
McCartney inducted Wilson into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000, describing him as one of the “great American geniuses.” He said at the induction, “In the ’60s, particularly, he wrote some music that when I played it, it made me cry, and I don’t quite know why. It wasn’t necessarily the words or the music. It was just something so deep in it that there’s only certain pieces of music that can do this to me.”
McCartney also had cited Wilson’s work on the Beach Boys’ 1966 album Pet Sounds as a huge influence on one of the Beatles’ greatest albums Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Wilson had been inspired by the Beatles’ Rubber Soul album and encouraged the band to explore new territory in sound for Pet Sounds.
Wilson’s family shared news of his death Wednesday on social media. “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” his family wrote in their statement. “We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”
You can read his full obituary here.
Following Wilson’s death, other musical greats have shared tributes to the pop music genius.
Elton John described him as a “true giant” who had the “biggest influence” on his songwriting. “He was a musical genius and revolutionary. He changed the goalposts when it came to writing songs and shaped music forever.”
Bob Dylan said in a statement, “Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I’ve been listening to him and admiring his genius. Rest in peace dear Brian”.
John Stamos, who worked with the band extensively, shared a tribute on Instagram.
“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,” Stamos wrote.
“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.
Love,
Stamos”
