A true genius and I feel SO fortunate that I got to see him and his solo band three different times.  All three were just stunning examples of his vocal harmony genius..........7 or 8 part harmonies were routine in that band.  In my humble opinion, Brian's comeback in the early 2000's was the greatest comeback by any rock artist in history, because it was SO unexpected, and reached such incredible heights after Brian wallowed so long in the depths of despair.  Brian's 2010 solo show @ The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA ranks among my top 5 concert experiences of all-time.  I don't have video from that show, but 2015 was almost as good, and here are several from that one.  Brian at center stage at the keyboards, flanked by original Beach Boy Al Jardine (white suit).

Surfer Girl

In My Room

Don't Worry Baby (Matt Jardine, Al Jardine's son, lead vocal)

Our Prayer/Heroes And Villains

I guess my favorite is California Girls. RIP and thanks for writing all those great songs. 

Rob - I so envy you those experiences.

Unlike a lot of people, I have many regrets in my life.  About 26 years ago, Brian Wilson did a Pet Sounds tour featuring an orchestra.  When the tour stopped in Birmingham, an orchestra was not available (travel expenses or something?).  The promoter said that folks could have a refund if they wanted.  This was back when I was a semi-professional drunken asshole, so I opted for the refund.  I'll spend the rest of this day asking everybody I meet to please kick me hard upside my ass for passing up the opportunity to see Brian Wilson.  

Back to mourning.

RIP Brian Wilson

Saw on CNN today that Paul McCartney, a wonderful song writer and musician in his own right, said today "God Only Knows" is the best song ever written. 

@robertdee I enjoyed all the Beach Boy stuff, but Brian certainly had some deeper songs.  My personal favorite is Love and Mercy Tonight. The song, and the album that it appeared on  (Brian Wilson (1988)) have some interesting backstory.  Brian's psychologist and his wife were initially co-credited as writers, though neither had any practical input as a songwriter. From Wikipedia:

"Love and Mercy" was originally credited to Brian Wilson, his psychologist Eugene Landy, and Landy's girlfriend Alexandra Morgan. Landy and Morgan's credits were removed following the album's 2000 reissue.^[1] Wilson stated that he "was in my piano room, playing 'What the World Needs Now,' and I just went into my own song ... worked very hard to get out what was in my heart on that one".^[2] He called it "probably the most spiritual song I've ever written."^[2] Co-producer Russ Titelman suggested the vocal counterpoints in the song^[3] and contributed a lyric, but declined to be honored with a songwriting credit.^[4]

@rusty Very interesting Rusty and a fine song from Brian or whoever the writers were. 

The late Hal Blaine ( played drums on more hit singles than anybody) talks about the greatest song Brian ever came up with and they recorded it and it was absolutely perfect. Not a change needed and indeed changing anything would add a negative to the perfect recording. 

But Brian's new producer had other ideas and completely RUINED Brian's best song. Wish I could have heard it!! 

Was at a classic car show today. One man there had a beautiful 1956 Ford Thunderbird. Light green and clean from bumper to bumper. 

Had a speaker there with this playing over and over. 

Brian Wilson was some songwriter.