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When Brian Wilson passed away, the world lost a true legend. To pay tribute to his legacy, surfers in Huntington Beach held a memorial paddle-out this weekend.
On June 11, the composer, songwriter, singer, and co-founder of the Beach Boys died at 82 years of age. The cause of Wilson’s death has not been made public, but he had been diagnosed with dementia and placed under a conservatorship in 2024.
Around 400 people gathered near the Huntington Beach pier Saturday morning to celebrate his life, as the LA Times reports. As speakers played some of the musician’s greatest hits, Dean Torrence of the rock duo Jan & Dean, surfer Peter “PT” Townend, and president and chief executive officer of Visit Huntington Beach Kelly Miller spoke a few words.
“The Beach Boys and Brian Wilson had a huge part in establishing what we would call the Southern California beach culture,” said Townend.
“I did not personally know Brian and I did not know the Beach Boys personally but I can tell you that those harmonies, those lyrics and those crafted surf culture songs stirred my soul magically like I am sure it did all of yours,” added Miller.
Duke Aipa, son of legendary shaper Ben Aipa, blew a conch shell to begin the ceremony. Soon after, he led the gathered surfers into the water, where they formed a circle and held hands, before returning to shore.
Though Wilson was not a surfer himself, he no doubt had an indelible mark on the sport. Many of the Beach Boys’ early work touched on surfing culture, including their first national hit, Surfin’ U.S.A.
“Brian gave so much to the world through his music, his spirit and his strength. He was a sweet, gentle soul as well as a fierce competitor,” Wilson’s manager Jean Sievers told Rolling Stone shortly after his passing. “There will never ever be anyone like him again. God truly broke the mold when he created Brian Wilson. Besides being a creative genius, he was one the smartest and funniest people I’ve ever known. His message of love will live on through his music forever.”
