Classic Rock World Reacts To Brian Wilson's Death: 'Major Worldly Loss'
By Katrina Nattress
June 11, 2025
On June 11, Brian Wilson's family shared the sad news that the Beach Boys co-founder passed away at the age of 82. "We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away," reads a statement on Instagram. "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."
Although his cause of death has yet to be revealed, Wilson was diagnosed with dementia in 2024 and put in conservatorship.
Wilson is arguably the greatest songwriter of the 21st century and influenced countless artists. Icons like Mick Fleetwood, Ringo Starr, Keith Richards, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and more took to social media to pay tribute to the legendary musician.
"Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson’s genius magical touch !! And greatly saddened of this major worldly loss!!" Fleetwood wrote on X. "My thoughts go out to his family and friends"
"Sadly, Brian Wilson has passed away. Songwriter, visionary. Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful melodies that spanned decades," Simmons lamented on X. "I’m going to spend the day listening to the Beach Boys and reminiscing."
See these and other reactions below.
Anyone with a musical bone in their body 🎼 must be grateful for Brian Wilson’s genius magical touch !! And greatly saddened of this major worldly loss!! My thoughts go out to his family and friends ❤️ Mick Fleetwood and the Fleetwood Mac Family #brianwilson #thebeachboys pic.twitter.com/ZddqigNK7e
— Mick Fleetwood (@MickFleetwood) June 11, 2025
Sadly, Brian Wilson has passed away. Songwriter, visionary. Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful melodies that spanned decades. I’m going to spend the day listening to the Beach Boys and reminiscing.
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) June 11, 2025
God bless Brian, peace and love to all the family, peace and love Ringo and Barbara. 😎✌️🌟❤️🎶👏🏻🌻🎼☮️ pic.twitter.com/wtkL4wMQCL
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) June 11, 2025
Brian Wilson Has Died. "Genius" is a term used too often and too loosely. "Tortured Genius" even more so. Brian's astonishing output of musical brilliance will bring joy while it influences generations to come. Thank you Brian and Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/rAJry3bMnH
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) June 11, 2025
Anyone who really knows me knows how heart broken I am about Brian Wilson passing. Not many people influenced me as much as he did. I feel very lucky that I was able to meet him and spend some time with him. He was always very kind and generous. He was our American Mozart. A one… pic.twitter.com/UODb9NdqOl
— Seán Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) June 11, 2025
Rest in Peace, Brian Wilson! pic.twitter.com/V6tQ3F8mtQ
— Keith Richards (@officialKeef) June 11, 2025
Oh gee...We say goodbye to Brian Wilson.
— Randy Bachman (@RandysVinylTap) June 11, 2025
I’ve know the Beach boys since the mid 60’s and have done lots of shows with them. They were the American answer to the Beatles. They wowed everyone with the songs, structures, vocals harmonies. The sunshine sound. I remember when Brian… pic.twitter.com/5zmjmGRcmY
Devastated to hear of @BrianWilsonLive ‘s passing. He had such a profound effect on me. The Kinks played the Hollywood Bowl with The Beach Boys on our first us tour. Sad day .. years later Brian and I used to run into each other at the movies with our daughters and we’d catch…
— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) June 11, 2025
To honor Wilson iHeart60s Radio on iHeartRadio is celebrating his imprint in music with Beach Boys music at the top and bottom of every hour all day today (June 11th) and tomorrow (June 12th). Listen on the free iHeartRadio app.