Mike Love Mourns His Cousin Brian Wilson, the 'Heart and Soul' of the Beach Boys

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Mike Love Mourns His Cousin Brian Wilson, the 'Heart and Soul' of the Beach Boys originally appeared on Parade.
Beach Boys singer took to Instagram on Wednesday, June 11, to pay tribute to , his cousin and the mastermind behind the iconic band, following the announcement of Wilson's passing at the age of 82.
'Today, the world lost a genius, and I lost a cousin by blood and my partner in music,' he wrote, alongside video clips from the landmark band's career and audio of the 1998 Beach Boys' song 'Brian's Back,' which celebrated Wilson's return to the group in the mid-'70s.
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'Brian Wilson wasn't just the heart of The Beach Boys—he was the soul of our sound. From the first time we sang together as kids in my living room, I knew there was something otherworldly in him. His musical gifts were unmatched. The melodies he dreamed up, the emotions he poured into every note—Brian changed the course of music forever,' Love continued.
'Our journey together was filled with moments of brilliance, heartbreak, laughter, complexity and most of all, LOVE . Like all families, we had our ups and downs. But through it all, we never stopped loving each other, and I never stopped being in awe of what he could do when he sat at a piano or his spontaneity in the studio,' he added.
Although Love and Wilson were successful collaborators, the two occasionally butted heads over the course of the band's direction. At the height of their '60s fame, Wilson wanted to continue to move into the more experimental material featured on the band's classic 1966 album Pet Sounds, while Love wanted the band to focus on commercial hits. That resulted in the shelving of the Pet Sounds follow-up Smile, which wouldn't be fully released until decades later as a Brian Wilson solo album.
Those differences also led the Beach Boys to tour without Wilson, and occasionally as two different versions of the band, but Wilson's music was always central to the Beach Boys—even if he wasn't performing with them on stage.
'Brian's unique artistry and our collaboration gave the world the American dream of optimism, joy, and a sense of freedom—music that made people feel good, made them believe in an endless summer and endless possibilities. It was one of the greatest blessings of my life to experience that creative space with him,' Love's post continued.
'It was our privilege to make the world believe in sunshine, surfing, and teenage dreams. My life was forever changed by Pet Sounds, God Only Knows, In My Room, Good Vibrations, The Warmth of the Sun and a hundred other pieces of his soul wrapped in music. He allowed us to show the world what vulnerability and brilliance sound like in harmony. He was fragile, he was intense, he was funny—and he was one of a kind,' he added.'My wife, Jacquelyne, and I are heartbroken. She stood beside me through so many chapters of this story, and we both send our love and prayers to Brian's family, his children, and all who were touched by his life and gifts."
He continued, 'Brian, you once asked, 'Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?' Now you are timeless. May you rest in the peace you so deeply deserve, surrounded by the heavenly music you helped create. May your spirit soar as high as your falsetto, may your wings spread in effortless flight."
'Thank you for the harmonies, the memories, and the love. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal. I'll miss you forever, my beloved cousin,' Love concluded his message.
Longtime Beach Boys member also offered a tribute on Instagram. Alongside a photo of him and Wilson together, he wrote, '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. I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with 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 ☀️🎶❤️.'
Mike Love Mourns His Cousin Brian Wilson, the 'Heart and Soul' of the Beach Boys first appeared on Parade on Jun 11, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.