John Stamos faced a difficult moment when he had to inform Mike Love, his Beach Boys bandmate and cousin, that Brian Wilson had passed away at the age of 82 on Wednesday. Stamos, who has played an honorary role with the Beach Boys for four decades, was traveling with Love when he received the tragic news.
“I was with Mike, I got off the plane, and I got the text,” Stamos recalled in an exclusive conversation with The Post during the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, where he honored Love at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. “I was like, ‘Oh boy, I guess I better [tell him].’ I said, ‘Mike, your cousin passed away,’ and his face went blank.”
The two then sat in a car for about two and a half hours, during which Love remained silent. “He didn’t say one word,” Stamos said. “And I didn’t ask him anything, ask him how he was feeling. I knew how he was feeling.”
Understanding the deep bond that Love and Wilson shared, Stamos reflected, “You know, they had 80-plus years together. They made beautiful music together.” Both men felt a profound sense of loss; Wilson was a central figure in pop music, known as a true visionary who helped shape the soundscape of his time.
Stamos voiced his shared grief, stating, “Without Brian Wilson, life would be a mistake. It’s been a big blow to all of us.” His history with the Beach Boys dates back to 1985, when he first performed with them at the Washington Monument on the Fourth of July.
Over the years, Stamos has played a pivotal role in introducing the Beach Boys to newer generations. He featured them on his TV shows “Full House” and “You Again?”, appeared in the music video for their 1988 hit “Kokomo,” and directed the clip for “Hot Fun in the Summertime” in 1992.
Stamos cherished the time he spent with Wilson, recalling a memorable trip to Montreal. “We were doing some shows in Montreal, I was with them, and Mike couldn’t make about five shows. And so Brian came out, and he’s the lead singer of the band … and it was great,” he recounted.
An especially magical evening unfolded when they ventured to find a piano. “We broke in the ballroom. There’s a piano in there, and he sat for 2½ hours, and he played any song we requested,” Stamos said. “He starts writing a song!”
Despite Wilson’s struggles with mental health and substance abuse, Stamos remembered him for his unique qualities. “Complicated, obviously, but he also had a wry sense of humor,” he noted.
Stamos reflected on his honor of inducting Love into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing Love’s contribution to iconic songs like “I Get Around” and “Good Vibrations.” He stated, “You know, if you would have told me I’d be here tonight… I don’t know what I did right in some past life or something. This is maybe the greatest honor of my life, to be able to give this to him tonight. I think this is long overdue.”
He emphasized the enduring importance of the Beach Boys’ music, particularly in these challenging times. “Decency is at an all-time low, and discord at an all-time high,” Stamos said. “We’ve never needed the Beach Boys’ music more.”