John Stamos, actor and longtime friend of the Beach Boys, found himself in a difficult position when he had to break the news of Brian Wilson’s death to fellow band member Mike Love. Stamos had just landed in New York City for Love’s induction into the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame when he received the devastating news via text.
Knowing he couldn’t delay, Stamos informed Love that his cousin and musical partner, Wilson, had passed away. The news left Love visibly stunned, and he remained silent for hours afterward.
Stamos and Love Share Silent Grief: Reflecting on Loss and Complex Family History
According to Stamos, the reaction from Love was one of profound shock and grief. The two sat together in a car for nearly two and a half hours, during which Love didn’t utter a single word. Stamos chose not to press him for a response or attempt to comfort him with words, explaining that he intuitively understood the depth of Love’s pain.
Having suffered his own recent losses, including the deaths of his best friend Mike Owen and his “Full House” co-star Bob Saget, Stamos empathized deeply with the silence and sorrow Love displayed.
John Stamos Breaks News of Brian Wilson’s Death to Mike Love in Heartbreaking SilenceBrian Wilson, who passed away at the age of 82, was not only Love’s cousin but also the Beach Boys’ chief creative force. Alongside Wilson’s brothers Dennis and Carl and bandmate Al Jardine, the two co-founded the band in 1961. While Wilson wrote and produced most of the group’s iconic tracks, Love was the band’s frontman.
Despite their shared legacy, their relationship had been fraught with legal disputes. Love had previously sued Wilson over how he was portrayed in a memoir and again in 1993 for missing songwriting credits, eventually winning a substantial settlement.
End of an Era as Brian Wilson’s Genius Remembered Amid Lifelong Mental Illness
Wilson’s cause of death has not yet been revealed, but he had reportedly been battling schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder for decades. These conditions had led to frequent auditory hallucinations since the 1960s. Despite his health challenges, Wilson’s contribution to music remained monumental, crafting a sound that defined a generation.
His passing prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, musicians, and industry figures around the world, who acknowledged his genius and impact on modern music.
In the wake of Wilson’s death, Mike Love shared an emotional tribute to his cousin and collaborator. During his Hall of Fame induction and later on Instagram, Love mourned not just a family member but a musical partner whose vision shaped the Beach Boys’ legacy.
He described Wilson as “the heart” and “the soul” of their sound, expressing an enduring sense of loss. For Love and many others, Brian Wilson’s death marks the end of a profound chapter in music history — one filled with brilliance, complexity, and emotional resonance.