Sting pays tribute to Brian Wilson with stunning performance of 'God Only Knows'

12 June 2025, 13:23

Just hours after news of his death, Sting plays one of Brian Wilson's finest songs.

Tributes have flooded in for Brian Wilson in the hours since it was announced that the Beach Boys' co-founder had died at the age of 82.

As well as being adored by fans and critics, Brian was held in incredible esteem by his fellow artists, with everyone from Paul McCartney to Eagles on the record as being Wilson superfans.

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Since news of his death has emerged, musicians like Bob Dylan, Elton John, Carole King, John Cale, Mick Fleetwood, Sean Ono Lennon, Randy Bachman, Ronnie Wood, Nancy Sinatra, Micky Dolenz, Questlove and Gene Simmons have paid tribute, as well as suviving Beach Boys Mike Love and Al Jardine.

One star who also adored Wilson's work is Sting, who was playing a concert at the IGA Park in Germany just hours after the news of Wilson's passing broke.

Sting interrupted his planned set towards the end of the show to honour Brian with a cover of one of his best-loved songs.

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"Today, one of my heroes died, Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys," Sting said.

"He's gone to heaven, so I'm gonna sing a song that I love."

Sting then gave a beautiful performance of the Beach Boys' 'God Only Knows', a track that Paul McCartney has frequently marked out as the greatest ever, saying it brings him to tears every time he hears it.