Watch Elton John's tribute to Brian Wilson at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony
10 November 2025, 15:33 | Updated: 10 November 2025, 17:31
The legendary piano man helped the Rock Hall pay tribute to the late Beach Boys icon, who died earlier this year.
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Elton John paid emotional tribute to Brian Wilson at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this weekend.
The Rocket Man legend took to the stage at Los Angeles' Peacock Theatre on 8th November to perform The Beach Boys' classic Pet Sounds track, God Only Knows.
Elton's performance was preceded by a speech in which he reminisced about he and Bernie Taupin's first time meeting Wilson, who sadly died aged 82 in June this year.
Watch his performance below:
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2025- Elton John Singing “God Only Knows”- In Tribute To Brian Wilson
Read more:
- The Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson dies, aged 82
- Watch Iggy Pop induct The White Stripes into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Jack White's speech
John revealed in his speech that he was "scared s***less" to meet Wilson in the '70s, "because he was (his) idol," adding: "It was an evening we would never forget. Meeting someone who was a true genius doesn’t happen very often".
The Your Song singer went on: "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,” Elton concluded his on-stage tribute."
Later on, Elton paid tribute to the Good Vibrations icon - who he became good friends and collaborators with - on social media.
Taking to Instagram to share a series of pictures from the night, he wrote: "@brianwilsonlive was a musical genius. He wrote timeless pop songs with the most complex melodies, unlike anything ever written before. He was also a friend - and a great supporter from the very beginning of my journey as an artist. It was an honour to pay tribute to Brian at last night’s @rockhall ceremony."
The star-studded ceremony also saw the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Chubby Checker, Soundgarden honoured, plus The White Stripes, who were inducted by the Godfather of Punk, Iggy Pop.
Iggy Pop Inducts The White Stripes into Rock Hall
Read more:
- What did Brian Wilson play at his Glastonbury Sunday Legends slot?
- Iggy Pop brings his undeniable Lust for Life to London's Alexandra Palace
- Sam Fender shares Talk To You ft. Elton john and announces People Watching deluxe edition
