At a night filled with heartfelt tributes, iconic performances, and recognition of songwriting excellence, Mike Love of The Beach Boys was officially inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame—and he used the moment to pay an emotional tribute to his late cousin and creative partner, Brian Wilson. The ceremony took place Thursday night in New York City, just one day after Wilson passed away at the age of 82.
“I especially must thank my cousin Brian Wilson,” Love said during his acceptance speech. “My first cousin by blood but brother in music. Together we set the stage for some of the most successful music collaborations of all time.” His voice carried the weight of both gratitude and grief, noting, “I do feel his presence” as he accepted the prestigious honor in front of an audience of fellow songwriters and industry insiders.
Love’s induction came nearly 25 years after Wilson himself was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000. The Beach Boys’ musical legacy, defined by sunshine harmonies and lyrical nostalgia, was center stage as Love celebrated his career while remembering the one person with whom it all began.
John Stamos—actor, Beach Boys superfan, and frequent collaborator—inducted Love. In a passionate speech, Stamos called Love’s lyrics “cinematic,” and praised his ability to “capture the American dream.” He added, “Mike Love knows how to write that song—the one that plays like a picture in your head or a memory in your heart.”
To celebrate the moment, Love performed a medley of Beach Boys classics, starting with “California Girls.” Stamos joined him on stage, strumming a sparkling gold electric guitar as they led the crowd through beloved hits like “I Get Around,” “Kokomo,” and “Good Vibrations.” The performance was both a celebration and a remembrance, a tribute not just to Love’s legacy but also to the enduring spirit of Brian Wilson.
The night was packed with powerful moments and other major inductions. Funk pioneer George Clinton was honored, with Living Colour opening the evening with a blistering rendition of “Cosmic Slop.” Clinton strutted on stage in a cream pinstriped suit and glittering gold captain’s hat, later performing the Parliament classic “(I Wanna) Testify.”
The Doobie Brothers—Michael McDonald, Tom Johnston, and Patrick Simmons—were also inducted, with country superstar Garth Brooks introducing them. “More people are listening to the Doobie Brothers today than ever,” Brooks said. The band performed “Black Water,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” and closed with their yacht rock staple “Listen to the Music.”
Additional honorees included hitmaker Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, country songwriting legend Ashley Gorley, Tony Macaulay, and Broadway icon Stephen Schwartz. Rising star Gracie Abrams was awarded the Hal David Starlight Award, introduced by Aaron Dessner of The National.
But it was Mike Love’s heartfelt tribute to Brian Wilson that gave the night its most emotional moment. The legacy of The Beach Boys, and the songs that defined generations, lived on in his words—and in the echoes of every melody performed that night.