John Stamos Pays Tribute to Brian Wilson: "Life Without Him Would Be a Mistake"

Published: June 13, 2025

John Stamos spoke to PEOPLE at the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction, where he inducted Beach Boy Mike Love, and shared his heartfelt tribute to the late Brian Wilson.

"The Beach Boys are everything to me," Stamos said. "I say without Brian Wilson, life would be a mistake. They have given me so much joy and love, and I've been able to spread it to so many people."

Stamos, who has been performing with the Beach Boys since 1985, recalled his fondest memory with Wilson, which was a night when the group was touring in Canada and Wilson stepped in to play a few shows in Love's absence.

"Brian came out, and he was in great shape. We finished the show, and he wanted to play the piano," Stamos shared. "We were at the Four Seasons in Montreal. And we broke into a ballroom that had a piano. Got the key, opened the piano, and we sat there for about two hours. He sat at the piano and sang and wrote songs. He started writing a song. He's like, 'Alright Stamos, you sing rock, roll, and Bruce, you sing this.' One of my greatest memories ever."

Stamos also praised Love, 84, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame with the Beach Boys in 1988, and now as a solo artist. He's responsible for writing the lyrics of hits like "Surfin' Safari," "Good Vibrations," and "Fun Fun Fun."

"When I watch him sing his songs and the way it moves people, it's just so needed," Stamos said. "I've played with him many, many years. The last five years, people just need it. They soak it up…. He has a very playful, childlike quality about him, but he just loves his music and he knows how important it is."

Love, meanwhile, said it was "really sweet" of Stamos to induct him.

The actor is set to join the Beach Boys for eight dates on their upcoming The Sounds of Summer Tour, which marks his 40th anniversary playing with the band.

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