Bruce Springsteen remembers Brian Wilson: “The most musically inventive voice in all of pop, with an otherworldly ear for harmony”

Bruce Springsteen has paid tribute to the late Brian Wilson, who he has described as “the most musically inventive voice in all of pop”.

• READ MORE: Brian Wilson, 1942-2025: culture-defining innovator who represented pop music’s awakening

Wilson – co-founder and singer of the Beach Boys – died at the age of 82, his family announced on Wednesday (June 11). Following the news of Wilson’s death, Bruce Springsteen has taken to social media to honour the late Beach Boys icon.

The Boss wrote in a touching post on Wilson’s impact on music and on his own career: “Brian Wilson was the most musically inventive voice in all of pop, with an otherworldly ear for harmony. He was also the visionary leader of America’s greatest band, The Beach Boys.”

He continued, noting Wilson’s impact: “If there’d be en no Beach Boys, there would have been no ‘Racing In The Street’. Listen to ‘Summer’s Gone’ from The Beach Boys’ last album ‘That’s Why God Made The Radio’ and weep. Farewell, Maestro.Nothing but love and a lovely lasting debut from all of us over here on E Street.”

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Springsteen has been vocal with his fondness of The Beach Boys and Wilson throughout his career, covering the band numerous times – most famously in 1985, when he performed ‘When I Grow Up To Be A Man’ in Ireland.

Springsteen also joined Wilson onstage in 2015 at one of the latter’s concerts, where the pair performed The Beach Boys’ ‘Surfin’ U.S.A’ and The Regents’ ‘Barbara Ann’ together.

Check out footage of that performance below.

Other high-profile names who have paid tribute to Brian Wilson since his passing include Paul McCartney, who reflected on his “love” for the Beach Boys legend: “Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. 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’. Thank you, Brian.”

Sting performed a tender and emotional cover of ‘God Only Knows’ at a concert in Germany just hours after Wilson’s death was announced: “Today, one of my heroes died; Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys. He’s gone to heaven, so I’m gonna sing a song that I love.”

• READ MORE: Paul McCartney once called The Beach Boys’ ‘God Only Knows’ “the greatest song ever written” – and fans agree

Elton John shared a post that read: “Brian Wilson was always so kind to me from the day I met him… I grew to love him as a person, and for me, he was the biggest influence on my songwriting ever; he was a musical genius and revolutionary. He changed the goalposts when it came to writing songs and shaped music forever. A true giant.”

Bob Dylan, shared a tribute too, writing: “Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I’ve been listening to him and admiring his genius. Rest in peace, dear Brian.”

You can find more tributes to the late artist here.

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