Bruce Springsteen Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Brian Wilson Following the Beach Boys Legend’s Passing at 82

June 13, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA

Rock icon Bruce Springsteen has paid a touching tribute to Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind the Beach Boys, who passed away peacefully at the age of 82.

Wilson, hailed as one of the most innovative and influential figures in American music, died earlier this week, prompting an outpouring of grief and admiration from across the entertainment world. Among the most poignant responses was that of Springsteen, who took to social media to honor the legacy of a man he called “a true American original.”

“Brian Wilson was a giant,” Springsteen wrote in his tribute. “His melodies, harmonies, and boundless imagination shaped the soundtrack of countless lives, including mine. His music was California sunshine filtered through deep soul and aching vulnerability. I am heartbroken at his passing but forever grateful for the joy he gave us all.”

The Beach Boys co-founder revolutionized pop music in the 1960s with albums like Pet Sounds, which many—including Springsteen himself—have described as a creative milestone in music history. Wilson’s layered harmonies, orchestral arrangements, and deeply personal songwriting left an indelible mark not only on his generation but on those that followed.

Springsteen, who rose to fame during the 1970s with his blue-collar poetry and heartland rock sound, has frequently spoken of Wilson’s influence on his own artistic journey. In past interviews, he praised Pet Sounds as “one of the most beautiful records ever made,” citing Wilson’s emotional vulnerability and ambition as a model for his own songwriting.

Wilson’s death marks the end of an era in American music, but as Springsteen noted, “His music will never die. It lives on in every note that dares to dream as boldly as he did.”

Brian Wilson is survived by his children and grandchildren. Tributes continue to pour in from artists, fans, and public figures around the world, all echoing the sentiment that his genius will echo through the ages.