Wilson’s life: Wilson’s connection to the county includes his birthplace of Inglewood, his high school in Hawthorne, the band’s first paid gig in Long Beach and Wilson’s own store in West Hollywood.

Elton John hails Brian Wilson as the 'biggest influence on my songwriting ever' as tributes to Beach Boys genius pour in - Posting on Instagram, Sir Elton said Wilson was ‘always so kind to me’ and ‘t

It is considered one of the most romantic scenes in all of sitcom history, and it was inspired by a Beach Boys song.

But what they created in their primes served as inspiration for legions of artists to come.