Al Jardine Pays Tribute to Beach Boys Bandmate Brian Wilson

Al Jardine, co-founder of the Beach Boys, paid tribute to his bandmate Brian Wilson, who died on Wednesday at age 82.

“Brian Wilson, my friend, my classmate, my football teammate, my Beach Boy bandmate and my brother in spirit, I will always feel blessed that you were in our lives for as long as you were,” Jardine said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with [Wilson’s brothers and bandmates] Carl and Dennis, singing those beautiful harmonies again. You were a humble giant who always made me laugh and we will celebrate your music forever. Brian, I’ll really miss you…still I have the warmth of the sun within me tonight.”

In 1961, Brian, Dennis, and Carl formed a band with their cousin Mike Love and friend Jardine. The group signed to Capitol Records and named themselves Beach Boys, releasing hits like “Surfin’ U.S.A.” (with music borrowed from Chuck Berry’s “Sweet Little Sixteen”), “Surfer Girl,” “Be True to Your School,” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.”

In 1966, fueled by Brian’s ambitious songwriting, the band released the album Pet Sounds, which regularly ranks at or near the top of the best albums ever made (Rolling Stone named it Number Two in its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time).

In March, Jardine announced that he would be relaunching Brian’s backing group, who have been inactive since Wilson stopped performing in 2022, as the Pet Sounds Band.

“The world mourns a genius today, and we grieve for the loss of our cousin, our friend, and our partner in a great musical adventure,” the band wrote in a statement. “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of the Beach Boys — he was the soul of our sound. The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever. His unparalleled talent and unique spirit created the soundtrack of so many lives around the globe, including our own. Together, we gave the world the American dream of optimism, joy, and a sense of freedom — music that made people feel good, made them believe in summer and endless possibilities.

“We are heartbroken by his passing,” the group continued. “We will continue to cherish the timeless music we made together and the joy he brought to millions over the decades. And while we will miss him deeply, his legacy will live on through his songs and in our memories.”

Wilson, along with the Beach Boys, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Upon his entry into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000, Paul McCartney — who delivered the induction speech — called Wilson “one of the great American geniuses,” and thanked him “sir, for making me cry.”