Hillel Italie of AP News, on Brian Wilson:

[…] peers otherwise adored him beyond envy, from Elton John and Bruce Springsteen to Katy Perry and Carole King. The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon, fantasized about joining the Beach Boys. Paul McCartney cited “Pet Sounds” as a direct inspiration on the Beatles and the ballad “God Only Knows” as among his favorite songs, often bringing him to tears.

“God Only Knows” is a stunningly luscious, deeply melancholy song, and I can recall the distinctive green album cover of Pet Sounds that contained it. (Yes, your Trinidad-born, Brooklyn-raised author loved The Beach Boys. I’m eclectic like that.)

I wasn’t aware of Wilson’s struggles with mental illness and drug use; I knew him only as a terrific singer and remarkably talented composer.

Ben Sisario’s New York Times obit includes this:

At the Beach Boys’ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1988, he described his ambitions: “I wanted to write joyful music that would make other people feel good.”

He succeeded.