Brian Wilson’s Beach Boys Bandmates React to His Death as Carnie Shares Her Grief

The family of Brian Wilson broke the news on June 11th that the Beach Boys’ co-founder had sadly passed away. They took to Instagram with a heartfelt message that began, “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father, Brian Wilson, has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now.”

The social media post announcing the death of Brian went on to ask for privacy for the family at this time. Still, the family acknowledged that the fans of The Beach Boys are also in mourning. He was 82 at the time of his passing. His death came after it was revealed in February of 2024 that the legendary bass player had been diagnosed with dementia. 

Now, the surviving members of The Beach Boys have shared their reaction to the news. They stated on Instagram, “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 post continued, “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.”

Then came a reflection of their legacy, “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.”

Finally, the statement read, “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. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Tributes Continue to Pour in For Brian Wilson

According to PEOPLE, The Beach Boys’ co-founder Al Jardine also shared a statement. He wrote on Instagram, “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.” He shared the sentiment alongside a picture of them together. 

His post continued, “I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with Carl and Dennis, singing those beautiful harmonies again.” Notably, this section of the tribute references Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson, who passed away in 1998 and 1983, respectively. 

The statement then said, “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.”

Carnie Wilson Also Shared Her Grief Online

Carnie Wilson also took to social media to express how much she’ll miss her father. She said in an emotional post, “I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now. My Father @brianwilsonlive was every fiber of my body. He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends.”

She went on, “I’ve never felt this kind of pain before, but I know he’s resting up there in heaven … or maybe playing the piano for Grandma Audree his Mom. I will post something else soon, but this is all my hands will let me type. I love you Daddy….I miss so much you already.”