Beach Boys founding member Al Jardine has publicly slammed Mike Love’s eulogy at Brian Wilson’s funeral, exposing decades of bitter internal feuds that threaten to overshadow the legendary band’s musical legacy.
Wilson’s Death Sparks Renewed Band Tensions
Brian Wilson died on June 11, 2025, at age 82 from respiratory arrest, marking the end of an era for American music. The Beach Boys co-founder and creative genius had been under conservatorship since 2024 due to cognitive decline. His family announced the death and requested privacy, with tributes pouring in from across the music world recognizing Wilson’s revolutionary contributions to popular music and his role in defining the California sound.
The funeral proceedings took an unexpected turn when Mike Love delivered a eulogy that Jardine later characterized as self-serving and inappropriate. Love praised Wilson as “the soul of our sound” while highlighting their childhood bond as cousins. However, Jardine viewed these remarks as hypocritical given Love’s business decisions that marginalized both Wilson and Jardine from touring operations in recent years.
Jardine Exposes Love’s Control Over Band Legacy
Al Jardine’s August 21 public criticism revealed the depth of ongoing resentment within the Beach Boys organization. Jardine accused Love of using Wilson’s funeral as a platform for self-promotion while having systematically excluded original members from the band’s touring activities. The founding guitarist and vocalist specifically referenced Love’s actions following their brief 2012 reunion tour, which ended with Love resuming control of the Beach Boys name and touring rights.
Love’s business control over the Beach Boys brand has been a source of friction for decades. Despite the band’s collaborative origins, Love secured legal rights to tour under the Beach Boys name, often performing with hired musicians rather than original members. This arrangement allowed Love to maintain financial control while sidelining Jardine and the ailing Wilson, creating ongoing disputes over the band’s authentic representation and legacy management.
Decades of Internal Conflict Resurface
The current feud represents the latest chapter in a long history of Beach Boys internal discord that dates back to the 1960s. Brian Wilson’s mental health struggles and withdrawal from touring created power vacuums that Love gradually filled through legal maneuvering and business decisions. Multiple lawsuits over royalties, touring rights, and use of the band name have characterized relationships between surviving members for decades.
Beach Boys feud reignites as Al Jardine criticizes Mike Love's speech at Brian Wilson's funeral https://t.co/pIXf9XRPk6
— Fox News Entertainment (@FoxNewsEnt) August 21, 2025
The timing of Jardine’s criticism—just months after Wilson’s death—underscores how unresolved these conflicts remain. Music industry experts note that legacy band disputes often intensify after key members pass away, as surviving members compete to control historical narratives and financial assets. The public nature of Jardine’s complaints suggests little hope for reconciliation between the feuding factions.
Sources:
LA Times – Brian Wilson Cause of Death: Respiratory Arrest
Snopes – Brian Wilson Beach Boys Dead