A Heartbreaking Task: Breaking the News of Brian Wilson’s Death
Actor John Stamos, known for his long-standing association as an honorary member of The Beach Boys, recently recounted the profoundly difficult moment he informed lead singer Mike Love about the passing of his cousin and band co-founder, Brian Wilson. Wilson, the legendary mastermind behind much of the band’s iconic sound, died on Wednesday at the age of 82.
Stamos, who has played with the band for 40 years, was traveling with Love when he received a text message delivering the devastating news. He was in New York City ahead of inducting Love into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, adding another layer of emotion to an already somber day.
Speaking exclusively about the moment, Stamos described the immediate aftermath of sharing the news. “I said, ‘Mike, your cousin passed away,’ and his face went blank.”
What followed was a period of shared silence that spoke volumes about the depth of the loss. Stamos revealed they sat together in a car for approximately two and a half hours, during which Love “didn’t say one word.” Stamos explained he didn’t feel the need to ask how Love was feeling. Having recently experienced personal losses himself, he understood the overwhelming grief Love was processing.
Decades of History and Music: A Complex Bond
The relationship between Brian Wilson and Mike Love, first cousins and founding members of The Beach Boys in 1961, was complex, marked by incredible musical collaboration alongside periods of public tension and even lawsuits over songwriting credits and other matters. Despite the well-documented ups and downs, they shared a history spanning over 80 years and created some of pop music’s most enduring hits together.
Stamos reflected on this history, noting simply, “You know, they had 80-plus years together. They made beautiful music together.”
Following the initial shock conveyed by Stamos, Mike Love did issue public tributes to Wilson. On social media, he described Wilson as “a genius” and “not just the heart of The Beach Boys – he was the soul of our sound,” adding he would “miss him forever.” At the Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony, Love referred to Wilson as “my brother in music,” acknowledging their journey together included “brilliance, heartbreak, laughter, complexity and most of all, LOVE,” while affirming they “never stopped loving each other.” Love also shared that he “never stopped being in awe of what he could do when he sat at a piano or his spontaneity in the studio.”
Brian Wilson’s death follows a period of public health challenges, including a diagnosis of dementia and the establishment of a conservatorship in May 2024. He had also openly battled mental health issues and addiction for decades. While a specific cause of death was not immediately disclosed, his passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and musicians worldwide, including Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, and Keith Richards, highlighting his immense impact as a visionary who fundamentally changed the course of music.
Stamos’s Enduring Connection to The Beach Boys
John Stamos’s relationship with The Beach Boys is far more than just casual fandom; he’s been an integrated part of their world for four decades, playing drums and guitar with them and actively contributing to their legacy. He humorously characterizes his tenure, which began at a Fourth of July concert in 1985, as “nagging them and stalking them” into letting him join.
His dedication extended beyond performing. Stamos helped introduce the band to new generations by featuring them on his popular sitcoms Full House and You Again? He also appeared in the video for their chart-topping hit “Kokomo” in 1988 and directed clips for songs like “Hot Fun in the Summertime.” Stamos even contributed vocals to a version of the song “Forever” on their 1992 album.
Stamos shared how Brian Wilson’s music became “part of my DNA,” crediting its “beauty and the happiness and the joy and the optimism and the positivity” with shaping him. He described Wilson as not just a musical genius but also “a gentle, soulful, funny, complex, beautiful man.”
A Memorable Night with Brian: The Ballroom Piano
Among his many cherished moments with Brian Wilson, one particular memory stands out for Stamos. While on tour in Montreal, Mike Love was absent for a few shows, and Brian Wilson stepped in as lead singer.
“We were at Four Seasons in Montreal,” Stamos recalled. “And one night he says, ‘Let’s go find a piano.’” When they couldn’t easily locate one, Stamos revealed, “we broke in the ballroom. There’s a piano in there, and he sat for 2½ hours, and he played any song we requested.” Astonishingly, during this impromptu session, Wilson even began writing a new song. This anecdote offers a glimpse into Wilson’s unparalleled talent and spontaneous creativity.
An Honor Long Overdue: Inducting Mike Love
The difficult news of Wilson’s death came just before Stamos was set to induct Mike Love into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, an honor Stamos called potentially “the greatest honor of my life.” Recognizing Love’s crucial role as co-writer on classics like “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” and “Good Vibrations,” Stamos felt strongly that Love’s induction was “long overdue.”
As the world mourns Brian Wilson and reflects on his extraordinary contributions, Stamos echoed the sentiment that the timeless music he created with The Beach Boys remains vital today. In a world grappling with “Decency at an all-time low, and discord at an all-time high,” Stamos believes, “we’ve never needed the Beach Boys music more.”
Brian Wilson is survived by his six children, Carnie and Wendy Wilson among them. He was preceded in death by his wife, Melinda, in January 2024, and his Beach Boys bandmates and brothers, Dennis and Carl Wilson.
References
- nypost.com
- <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/john-stamos-broke-news-brian-wilson-death-mike-loven684dac18e4b0417963bbab5e”>www.huffpost.com
- www.latimes.com
- www.thewrap.com
- www.themirror.com
