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 you were living and breathing. They were that much a part of the world we lived in.
He said, “I want to create music for people so they’ll know I’m a source of love.” He sure did.
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.
The movie about Brian Wilson was revelatory, bringing forth compassion ❤️
Rest in peace Brian. “God only knows” what is next for you in the spirit world but hopefully you’re spreading the “good vibrations” there too right now. You will be missed but remembered fondly 🙏