From Bob Dylan to Elton John: so the rock remembers Brian Wilson
From Bob Dylan to Elton John, passing through Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones: the world of rock tightens around the beach boys and their fans, following the disappearance, which took place yesterday, by Brian Wilson, the founder – and genius – of the icon band icon of the American 60s. There are many artists who, following the spread of the news of Wilson’s death, who had long lived with a neurocognitive disorder similar to the dementia made public at the beginning of 2024, wanted to share on social media and tributes to the musician, celebrating the impact on rock and his inheritance. Their voices went to add to those of Al Jardine and the other components still in the life of the beach boys.
“I learned Brian’s sad news today and I thought back to all the years in which I listened to him and admired his genius. Rest in peace, dear Brian,” Bob Dylan wrote in a tweet on X.
“Brian Wilson has always been so kind to me since I met him. He sang ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’ in a tribute concert in 2003, and it was an extraordinary moment for me. I played in his solo records, he sang on my album, ‘The Union’, and even performed for my foundation against AIDS. I learned to love him as a person and, for me, it was the greatest influence ever on my writing of songs; It was a musical genius and a revolutionary. He changed the canons of writing and shaped the music forever. A real giant “, Elton John recalled it.
“God bless Brian Wilson. Peace and love to his whole family,” wrote Ringo Starr on social media.
Sean Ono Lennon, the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, wrote: “Anyone who really knows me knows how much the disappearance of Brian Wilson’s disappearance. Few people have influenced me as much as he. I feel very lucky to have been able to meet and spend time with him. He was always very kind and generous. It was our American Mozart. A unique genius from another.”
The guitarist of the Sex Pistols Steve Jones shared a photo of hers with Wilson, writing that “another super talented son has gone”.
Peter Gabriel wrote on X: “Brian Wilson raised the bar himself on how to write and arrange a great pop song. He inspired and touched many songwriters, including me. He pushed the Beatles towards Sergeant Peper and with God Only Knows created a masterpiece that still remains unmatched today. God bless you, Brian”.
