Beach Boys' Brian Wilson Dies at 82 Legends Pay Tribute to Influential Songwriter

Brian Wilson, the iconic co-founder of the Beach Boys and a revolutionary figure in music, passed away at age 82, prompting heartfelt tributes from music legends like Elton John, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and Mick Fleetwood. Elton John highlighted Wilson's profound influence on his songwriting and praised him as a musical genius who reshaped the music industry, noting their long-standing friendship and collaborations. Paul McCartney credited Wilson's groundbreaking 1966 album Pet Sounds as a major inspiration for The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, underscoring Wilson's impact beyond his own band. Fellow musicians and celebrities, including John Stamos and members of Metallica, reflected on Wilson's unique ability to create deeply emotional and innovative music, with songs like "God Only Knows" recognized as some of the best ever written. Wilson's family confirmed his death but did not disclose the cause, though it was known he had been battling dementia and was under conservatorship. The outpouring of tributes paints Wilson as a gentle, complex, and visionary artist whose work shaped the sound of modern pop and rock and whose legacy will endure through generations.