Watch Elton John play 'God Only Knows' in Brian Wilson tribute at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

10 November 2025, 10:32

One legend pays beautiful tribute to another.

The Beach Boys were one of the very first groups to be make it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, being selected for the Class of 1988 alongside The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Supremes and The Drifters.

They were inducted by another legend and then-future Hall of Famer, Elton John, who won the accolade in 1994, his very first year of eligibility.

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So in the first Hall of Fame ceremony after the sad death of Brian Wilson, it was to be expected that there would be a special tribute to the Beach Boys' primary songwriter and producer, and especially fitting that it was Elton who led the celebration.

Before performing a beautiful version of Wilson's 'God Only Knows', Elton took to the stage and shared some memories of his time with Brian, including the first time they met in Los Angeles.

“We were scared s**tless because he was my idol," Elton said.

Elton John | God Only Knows | Full Performance | Live @ The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2025

"He was the one that influenced me more than anybody else when it came to writing songs on the piano. It was an evening we would never forget."

John continued: "Meeting someone who was a true genius doesn't happen very often. And throughout my career and my life Brian and I became friends.

"We sang on each other's records. We loved each other. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather pay tribute than Brian Wilson and his family with this incredible song."

The artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2025 were Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Soundgarden and The White Stripes.

Salt-N-Pepa and Warren Zevon were inducted into the early/musical influences category, while producer and music exec Lenny Waronker won the non-performing Ahmet Ertegun award.

Producer Thom Bell, session gods Nicky Hopkins and Carol Kaye were named in the Musical Excellence category.