I just found out he passed away.

If I could pick a mere three people who made my music and my life what it is today, Brian Wilson would easily be on that list. His music struck chords in my heart that I never knew were possible, and in so many others' too. I can't imagine being able to arrange music anywhere near the way I can now without having heard Pet Sounds. It's reflected into a lot of my works. Autumn Swirl's harmonies, Christmas Joy's melody-driven nature, even the rich and contrasting instrument lines in my NG30 part surely took a few pages from Pet Sounds, if a bit subconsciously. It was more than just Pet Sounds. 'Good Vibrations', 'Don't Worry Baby', 'Surfin' USA', 'California Girls', even the obscure ones like 'Spring Vacation' all brought me unmistakable memories and vitality that I've tried to carry in my own music for almost a decade now. They are touchstones of musical greatness for me.

Not only that, but as a human being, his outlook on the world and life story genuinely moved me. Even in light of his decades-long struggles with mental illness, there was something so inspiring about the way Brian still managed to put smiles on our faces through his unparalleled craftsmanship and write melodies that became synonymous with periods of all our lives. And even with all the ebbs and flows, he maintained his unique talent well into the 21st century. 'That's Why God Made the Radio' is still one of the best songs from the 2010s in my opinion. It's almost a perfect summer song even with the core of band being well into old age at that point.

Throughout all the years of my serious composing life he's shaped me, from the simple childhood joys of 'I Get Around' on Regular Show to well into 2025 with 'That's Why God Made The Radio' defining summer joy for me as an adult. This is not just a loss of a beautiful human being but generations of Summer Days and Summer Nights. And to me, this is like losing my own grandfather. He shaped me to be the best I could be even when my parents never could. With his passing, I feel like 20% of all my musical inspiration, at least, has gone. All I hope is that his final days were filled with Love and Mercy.

Rest in Peace, Brian Wilson. May the melodies of Heaven forever continue to spark that eternal youth you brought us all.

-Tin3Sn.