In a poignant moment, John Stamos, the beloved star of "Full House," had the difficult task of informing Mike Love, the lead vocalist of the iconic band the Beach Boys, about the tragic passing of Brian Wilson, the band's primary songwriter and Love's cousin. Stamos recounted this emotional experience during his appearance on the red carpet at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Stamos revealed that he learned of Wilson's death, which occurred at the age of 82, shortly after landing from a flight. "I was with Mike, I got off the plane, and I got the text," Stamos shared with the New York Post. "I was like, 'Oh boy, I guess I better tell him.' I said, 'Mike, your cousin passed away,' and his face went blank." This moment was particularly heavy as Stamos sat with Love for approximately two and a half hours, during which Love processed the shocking news in silence. "He didn't say one word," Stamos recalled, emphasizing the depth of Love's grief.
The Beach Boys, formed in 1961, were a collaboration between Wilson and Love, along with Wilson's brothers Carl and Dennis, and their friend Al Jardine. In this legendary band, Love took on the role of lead vocalist and occasional saxophonist, while Wilson was the creative force behind much of their music, writing and producing countless hits. Stamos poignantly noted, "You know, they had 80-plus years together. They made beautiful music together."
Despite their long partnership, Love and Wilson's relationship was not without its challenges. The two were embroiled in legal disputes, including a defamation lawsuit from Love against Wilson related to claims made in Wilson's 1991 memoir, "Wouldn't It Be Nice: My Own Story." This case was settled out of court, but tensions continued as Love later sued Wilson in 1992 for songwriting credits on many Beach Boys tracks, ultimately winning $13 million and retroactive credits on 35 songs, including classics like "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "I Get Around."
In a bittersweet turn, Love and Wilson reunited for a 50th anniversary tour in 2012, coinciding with the release of the Beach Boys album "That's Why God Made the Radio." However, this tour concluded under strained circumstances, with Wilson leaving the band. While Love continued to perform under the Beach Boys' name, Wilson and Jardine embarked on their own tours.
In the wake of Wilson's passing, Love released a heartfelt statement honoring his cousin. "Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys — he was the soul of our sound," Love expressed. He reflected on their journey together filled with "brilliance, heartbreak, laughter, complexity and most of all, LOVE." Love acknowledged the ups and downs of their relationship but emphasized their enduring bond, stating, "But through it all, we never stopped loving each other, and I never stopped being in awe of what he could do."
As a lifelong fan of the Beach Boys, Stamos's connection with the band dates back to the 1980s when he began performing with them. He reminisced about one of his cherished memories with Wilson during the Songwriters Hall of Fame event. "We were on tour in Canada, and Mike was gonna miss about five shows, so Brian came out, and he was in great shape," Stamos recalled. "We finished the show and he wanted to play piano. We snuck into a ballroom at the Four Seasons in Montreal, and we sat there for about two hours, he sang and wrote songs."
In this way, the legacy of Brian Wilson continues to resonate, touching the lives of those who knew him and the millions who enjoyed his music.
