Elton John Honors Brian Wilson with ‘God Only Knows’ Tribute at 2025 Rock Hall

At the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony, Elton John honored the late Brian Wilson, the visionary heart of The Beach Boys, with a moving tribute that blended reverence and emotion. The performance served as both a salute to Wilson’s unparalleled musical genius and a deeply personal reflection from an artist who considered him a lifelong hero.

Before performing, John recalled their first meeting with both fondness and awe. “In 1970, when I first came to Los Angeles, Danny Hutton from Three Dog Night took me and Bernie Taupin around to meet Brian Wilson — and I was scared shitless,” John said. “Because he was my idol, my biggest influence when it came to writing songs on the piano.”

A Soulful Rendition of ‘God Only Knows’

Though John chose not to play piano, his rendition of “God Only Knows” radiated sincerity and vulnerability. He was joined by Don Was on upright bass and legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff, whose understated accompaniment allowed John’s vocals to soar. The crowd rose in appreciation, recognizing not just the performance but the emotional bridge it built between two eras of musical brilliance.

Wilson, who passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 82, was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside The Beach Boys in 1988. His innovations in harmony, production, and emotional depth continue to shape generations of artists across genres.

Remembering a Genius Who Redefined Pop

Following Wilson’s death, John posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, reminiscing about their decades-long friendship. “Brian was always so kind to me from the day I met him,” he wrote. “He sang ‘Someone Saved My Life Tonight’ at a tribute concert in 2003, and it was an extraordinary moment for me. I played on his solo records, he sang on my album The Union, and even performed for my AIDS Foundation.”

John later reflected on how deeply Wilson influenced his creative path. “I grew to love him as a person,” he said. “He wasn’t just a songwriter — he was an architect of emotion, building symphonies out of sincerity and heartbreak. Brian’s music didn’t simply change pop; it changed how people felt pop. His melodies carried sunlight and sadness in equal measure. He was a true visionary — the kind of artist who only comes along once in a lifetime — and his music will live as long as people need songs that heal.”