The Beach Boys’ Mike Love pays tribute to “one of a kind” cousin Brian Wilson: “The world lost a genius”

The Beach Boys‘ Mike Love has paid tribute to his “one of a kind” cousin and former bandmate Brian Wilson, saying he is “heartbroken” over his death.

Wilson’s passing was confirmed by his family yesterday (Wednesday June 11). He was 82 years old.

“We are at a loss for words right now,” the statement read, adding: “Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.”

Tributes to the iconic pop music pioneer have since poured in from the likes of Elton John, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood, Nancy Sinatra, and many more from the music world and beyond.

The surviving members of The Beach Boys paid their respects in a joint message, saying that Wilson “was the soul of our sound”. Guitarist and singer Al Jardine shared a separate statement, writing: “I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with [brothers] Carl and Dennis , singing those beautiful harmonies again.”

Love – who is the last-surviving familial co-founder of The Beach Boys – has now posted his own moving tribute to Wilson, writing: “Today, the world lost a genius, and I lost a cousin by blood and my partner in music.”

The message came alongside a video soundtracked by The Beach Boys’ song ‘Brian’s Back’ – which was recorded in 1978, and would later be released on the group’s 1998 compilation ‘Endless Harmony Soundtrack’.

“Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys – he was the soul of our sound,” Love continued.

“From the first time we sang together as kids in my living room, I knew there was something otherworldly in him. His musical gifts were unmatched. The melodies he dreamed up, the emotions he poured into every note – Brian changed the course of music forever.”

He added: “Our journey together was filled with moments of brilliance, heartbreak, laughter, complexity and most of all, LOVE. Like all families, we had our ups and downs. But through it all, we never stopped loving each other, and I never stopped being in awe of what he could do when he sat at a piano or his spontaneity in the studio.”

Love went on to praise Wilson’s “unique artistry”, saying that the band’s work together “gave the world the American dream of optimism, joy, and a sense of freedom – music that made people feel good, made them believe in an endless summer and endless possibilities”.

“It was one of the greatest blessings of my life to experience that creative space with him,” he shared.

“It was our privilege to make the world believe in sunshine, surfing, and teenage dreams. My life was forever changed by ‘Pet Sounds’, ‘God Only Knows’, ‘In My Room’, ‘Good Vibrations’, ‘The Warmth Of The Sun’ and a hundred other pieces of his soul wrapped in music.

“He allowed us to show the world what vulnerability and brilliance sound like in harmony. He was fragile, he was intense, he was funny – and he was one of a kind.”

In a statement to Rolling Stone, Wilson’s manager Jean Sievers said: “Brian gave so much to the world through his music, his spirit and his strength. He was a sweet, gentle soul as well as fierce competitor. There will never ever be anyone like him again. God truly broke the mold when he created Brian Wilson. Besides being a creative genius, he was one the smartest and funniest people I’ve ever known. His message of love will live on through his music forever.”

Last year saw Wilson placed under a conservatorship when his family and close friends cited that the icon could no longer care for himself following a dementia diagnosis. This came after the death of Wilson’s wife and longtime manager, Melinda Ledbetter Wilson, who had been acting as the music legend’s caregiver after a decline in his health. He suffered a lifelong battle with mental illness, including a nervous breakdown in 1964 that saw him resign from regular touring with The Beach Boys to focus on writing and production.

In the wake of Wilson’s death, fans have been sharing footage of his final-ever live performance from 2022.

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