This Brian Wilson story proves he was a comedy genius as well as a musical one

12 June 2025, 12:10

When Beach Boy Brian Wilson had a bit of fun at the expense of Eagle Don Henley.

As the world mourns Brian Wilson after his death at the age of 82, fans all over the world have been sharing their favourite musical moments from the Beach Boys co-founder.

Whether it's the stunning 'God Only Knows' or 'Good Vibrations', the band's earlier surf, sun, cars and girls tunes, or his later, more introspective works, it's clear that Brian Wilson was a musical genius.

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But one story doing the rounds shows that as well as impeccable pitch and musical imagination, Brian also had perfect comedy sensibilities and timing.

The anecdote revolves around Brian meeting up with Eagles man Don Henley, and signing a copy of the Beach Boys' masterpiece Pet Sounds for the fellow musician.

There are a few slightly different versions floating about, but the one we like best is taken straight from Brian's second autobiography, 2016's I Am Brian Wilson: A Memoir.

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"I took a Sharpie from the table in the dressing room," he says of their backstage meeting, though we're not sure exactly when it happened.

"There are always Sharpies around for signing things. I wrote on his record, 'To Don: thanks for all the great songs. Brian Wilson', Don was so grateful. It was almost like he couldn’t talk.

"He turned to leave. 'Hey Don', I said. 'Wait a second'. I took the record back, crossed out 'great', and wrote 'good'. Some people would have been mad, but Don just looked at it and laughed.

Don Henley - The Boys Of Summer

If you think that the story is just too good to be true, it was backed up by John Cusack, who played the older Brian in 2014 biopic Love & Mercy.

“Brian, you don't know if he's kind of in his own world because he can’t get out of it or he's tired of everyone needing the 'Brian Wilson moment' and it's easier just to stay in his own world," Cusack told the Los Angeles Times.

"So he's a bit of Cheshire cat that way. He just doesn’t lie. Don Henley came and said, 'Could you please sign this record, it meant so much to me?'.

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"Okay, okay. 'Dear Don, thanks for all the great music'... and he crossed out 'great' and wrote, 'good'. Don Henley, like, framed it."

Don Henley wasn't the only member of Eagles who was a big Beach Boys fan.

"The Beach Boys were a huge influence on all of the Eagles," once said his bandmate Glenn Frey.

"We consider them to be the greatest American vocal band ever. We admire their work and Brian in particular."