At the 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Elton John led a tribute to Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson. “We loved each other,” John said, “I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather pay tribute to than Brian Wilson and his family with this incredible song.” He then launched into a cover of the 1966 song, “God Only Knows,” with back up from musicians including Don Was on bass and Benmont Tench on piano. (“God Only Knows,” appeared on the Beach Boys record Pet Sounds.)
Describing the first time he met Brian, John said it happened the first time he was in Los Angeles with lyricist Bernie Taupin. “We were scared shitless because he was my idol. 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 said. “Meeting someone who was a true genius doesn’t happen very often.”
The emotions were visible on John’s face as he sang the repetitive title line, “God only knows where I’d be without you.”
Brian Wilson passed away in June from cardiac arrest at age 82.
