Paul McCartney pays tribute to Brian Wilson: “Simple and brilliant at the same time”

”I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while,” Paul wrote.

Jun 12, 2025 - 13:35

Paul McCartney pays tribute to Brian Wilson: “Simple and brilliant at the same time”

Paul McCartney has paid tribute to the late Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, whose “God Only Knows” he has called the “greatest song ever written” and whose Pet Sounds he has said was the core influence on The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

“Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special,” Paul wrote. “The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while. How we will continue without Brian Wilson, ‘God Only Knows’.”

See his full tribute with more photos below, and read tributes from Bob Dylan, John Cale, Mick Fleetwood, Carole King, and other artists here. Ringo Starr also posted a tribute, and you can see that one below as well.

You can also read our essay, Thank you, Brian Wilson.