BRIAN WILSON AND THE JOY HE BROUGHT US

Rest in music, dear genius

JUN 11, 2025

Hannah Arendt once said, “If world events weren’t so awful, life would be a joy.” At this moment of awful world events, it seems right to acknowledge the passing of someone who brought such great joy.

Brian Wilson died today, a musical genius whose songs were so joyful they tempted you to underestimate how brilliant they were.

One of my favorites feels like his perfect good-bye song: “God Only Knows.” Millions of us grew up with the Beach Boys. It wasn’t a matter of whether or not you “liked” them. It was a matter of whether or you were living and breathing. They were that much a part of the world we lived in.

Thank you, Brian Wilson. I can’t imagine an afterlife in which you’re not just bathed in bliss right now for a job on earth so exceedingly well done.

One thought on “BRIAN WILSON AND THE JOY HE BROUGHT US”

  1. I had the privilege and joy to sit and talk with Brian at Westwood Music in the way back/early 1980’s.

    He was gracious, and erudite. A gentleman.

    Talented beyond Talent.

    G

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