Stephen King, Mick Fleetwood, John Cusack and more took to their social media accounts to pay tribute to iconic Beach Boys co-founder and songwriter Brian Wilson, who died Wednesday at 82.
“Sorry to hear that Brian Wilson has died. The Beach Boys were the soundtrack of my summers, from ‘Surfin’ Safari’ on,” longtime author King wrote on Bluesky on Wednesday.
Cusack took to his X account and shared images of him and Wilson over the years.
“The maestro has passed — the man was a open heart with two legs — with an ear that heard the angels. Quite literally,” the actor, who portrayed the late singer, said. “‘Love and Mercy’ for you and yours tonight. RIP Brian. He wrote down the lyrics of ‘Love and Mercy’ for me.”
And of course, fellow musicians chimed in with their memories, praises and love. Mick Fleetwood, drummer, co-founder and leader of rock band Fleetwood Mac shared his well wishes for Wilson’s family and celebrated the artist’s career.
“Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson’s genius magical touch,” Fleetwood said. “And greatly saddened of this major worldly loss!! My thoughts go out to his family and friends. Mick Fleetwood and the Fleetwood Mac Family.”
His family announced his passing early Wednesday morning. No cause of death has been confirmed.
Wilson launched the Beach Boys in 1961 – as the band’s songwriter, co-lead vocalist, bassist, keyboardist and producer – and within a few years had written more than two dozen Top 40 hits including “Surf City,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me Rhonda” and “Good Vibrations.” He suffered a nervous breakdown in 1964 and was forced to drop out of regular concert touring – a turn of events that would give birth to some of the most influential recorded music in history.
Check out the other celebrities and popular figures who took time out of their day to share their admiration for the legend.
