Tribute: Brian Wilson

As if 2025 couldn’t get any worse.

In the same week as we lost another music legend, Sly Stone, today we learned of the death of the founding Beach Boy and songwriting genius Brian Wilson.

The music of The Beach Boys has always been an integral part of my life. It’s the sound of summer. Of youth and fun. Of joy and innocence. As someone who grew up by the beach, “Surfin’ USA” felt like a hometown anthem. “I Get Around” always takes me back to a better time, driving around with my friends and getting into mischief.

Yet, because of Wilson’s savant-like dedication to his craft and lyrics, their music became so much more. Feelings of disenchantment and disassociation underscore songs like “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”, and he was one of the first to tackle mental illness with the somber “In My Room”.

And then there is of course one of the most beautiful and powerful songs of all time, “God Only Knows”. To me, this remains the pinnacle of romantic songwriting, and simple a gorgeously structured track. The way in which Wilson layered the harmonies and the overall composition continues to move me to this day.

Other music sites will I’m sure give better historical deep-dives into Wilson and his music. I just wanted to share my love of this man and all the music he gave to us. I was lucky enough to see him perform with The Beach Boys at the Hollywood Bowl years back, and I’ll always feel grateful I was there. I’ll be thinking of him as I blast their music all summer long.