RIP Brian. One of the finest American songwriters. That beautiful California sound. And he didn't even surf!

Rest in peace, Brian Wilson.

As someone conceived in Southern California in the mid-60s to your music—with a surfer dad and a mom who was a surfer groupie—your songs were always part of my life. Your sound captured the spirit of the best coast, and shaped the memories of my family and so many others. Thank you for everything you gave us; your music will always be a part of who we are.

Brian Wilson: Long promised Road that first aired on 6/14/22.

RIP Brian

I saw the Beach Boys on Mother’s day 1978. It was the real Beach Boys. Carl and Dennis were still alive, Brian had (however briefly) returned to touring, the major breakup between Brian and Mike Love hadn’t occurred, and of course Al Jardine was there as was Bruce Johnston.

The concert was in the UNI Dime in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Brian, who was wearing a brown track suit, spent much of the night looking up at the dome and shaking his head.

You were the best of the best. So many memories.

Played during the last scene of "Love Actually "

9:30 on a Tuesday night . . .

GenXer with a mom who had all of their old LPS - but the song Brian Wilson made him a 'thing' for a lot of us.

I was never a huge BB fan, but I do have a special affinity for this particular song:

I know he wasn't doing well with dementia and was never the same after Melinda died, but the last Wilson brother departing sure stings.

I was lucky enough to spend some time around him and his band and got to see him on good days and bad days. It was amazing how he'd be spacing out one second and suddenly slip into taskmaster mode, announce that someone is flat and demand another take. The perfectionist was still there somewhere. The young man was still there and would emerge when he would smile or say something ridiculous. Everybody around him adored him and wanted to protect him with their lives, there was no "exploitation" going on like Mike Love would frequently charge. Hearing his beautiful, frail voice hit "God Only Knows" on a good night brought tears to your eyes.

The demonic voices in his head tearing him down finally stopped. Rest easy, big guy.

Latter day Brian... Vege-Tables

... Sleep a lot, eat a lot, brush 'em like crazy.
Run a lot, do a lot, never be lazy.

Sleep a lot, eat a lot, brush 'em like crazy.
Run a lot, do a lot, never be lazy.

I know that you'll feel better
When you send us in
Your letter and
Tell us the name of your...
Your favorite vege-table.

Sounds like an appropriate tune to play today in his memory.

Brian, like most Americans was in a funk. Out of the tragedy came one of the most beautiful songs he ever wrote.

was the no.1 song in the U.S. when I was born... 60 years ago.

https://www.stereogum.com/2008357/the-number-ones-the-beach-boys-help-me-rhonda/columns/the-number-ones/

😢

He was 80 and working on an album.

RIP, Brian Wilson. Everybody knew you were facing some big demons, but the Beach Boys were one of the nicest groups in the business.

appealed to me because I'd been on some crazy sailing adventures myself - it had the real ring of truth.

was the Beach Boys. I remember grinning from ear to ear when they sang Lady Lynda! RIP Brian!

Last edited Thu Jun 12, 2025, 12:51 AM - Edit history (1)

Peace at last, peace at last, thank God almighty — peace at last. Rest in peace and music, rejoined with the Beach Boys 💔

What I thought the words were for many years.
RIP

RIP Brian Wilson