The Beach Boys have paid tribute to their late co founder Brian Wilson, who has died 82.
Wilson's death was confirmed by his family yesterday, who released this statement.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” they said. “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".
Since then, the Beach Boys shared this moving tribute to Brian Wilson, calling him a "genius", and "the heart" of the band.
“The world mourns a genius today, and we grieve for the loss of our cousin, our friend, and our partner in a great musical adventure. Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys—he was the soul of our sound", they said.
"The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever. His unparalleled talent and unique spirit created the soundtrack of so many lives around the globe, including our own".
They continued: “Together, we gave the world the American dream of optimism, joy, and a sense of freedom—music that made people feel good, made them believe in summer and endless possibilities".
“We are heartbroken by his passing. We will continue to cherish the timeless music we made together and the joy he brought to millions over the decades. And while we will miss him deeply, his legacy will live on through his songs and in our memories".
Check out this post in full here.
Brian Wilson co founded the band, alongside cousin Mike Love and school friend Al Jardine, going on to release numerous hits, including Surfin' USA, Good Vibrations, and California Girls. Their 1966 album, Pet Sounds is also considered to be one of the greatest albums ever made.
