At the 2026 Grammy Awards, Bruce Springsteen stepped forward to pay tribute to Brian Wilson, the legendary co-founder of the Beach Boys who died in 2025 at the age of 82.
Springsteen’s voice opened the show’s In Memoriam segment, setting a reflective tone as the music world remembered one of its great innovators. His tribute highlighted Wilson’s immense impact not just on pop music, but on musicians across generations.
He spoke of Wilson as a “most musically inventive voice” with an extraordinary gift for harmony, crediting him as the visionary behind The Beach Boys’ groundbreaking sound. By invoking Wilson’s influence on his own work – even suggesting that without Wilson there might not have been Springsteen staples like “Racing in the Street” – The Boss brought a deeply personal touch to the memorial.
“The last of the Wilson brothers may be gone, but he leaves behind so many great songs, and good vibrations,” Springsteen said.
The Grammy broadcast paired Springsteen’s narration with visuals honouring Wilson’s legacy, from California surf anthems to complex, emotionally rich compositions that helped define 20th-century pop. This tribute at one of music’s biggest nights underscored how Wilson’s harmonies and studio innovations echo through decades of songwriting and performance.
Elsewhere, Post Malone led a tribute for the late Ozzy Osbourne, smashing out “War Dogs” with legendary guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan from Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, and producer Andrew Watt.
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