Elton John Honors Brian Wilson with "God Only Knows" | Rock Hall 2025 Induction

Elton John takes the stage to honor the late Brian Wilson with a performance of "God Only Knows" — the song Paul McCartney has called "the greatest song ever written." Before singing, Elton John shared the story of meeting his idol for the first time: "In 1970, when I first came to Los Angeles, Danny Hutton from Three Dog Night took me and Bernie Taupin around to meet Brian Wilson — and I was scared shitless. Because he was my idol, my biggest influence when it came to writing songs on the piano." Brian Wilson eased the young Elton John's nerves by opening the door singing "Your Song." A friendship was born that night that lasted 55 years. "We loved each other. I can't think of anyone else who I'd rather pay tribute to than Brian Wilson and his family with this beautiful song." This wasn't Elton John's first time honoring Brian Wilson at the Rock Hall. In 1988, he inducted the Beach Boys — six years before he himself would be inducted. Thirty-seven years later, he returned to the same stage to say goodbye. Elton John was backed by Don Was on upright bass, Kenny Aronoff on drums, and Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on piano. "God Only Knows" was released in 1966 on the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, written by Brian Wilson and Tony Asher. It's ranked No. 11 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and is included in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Brian Wilson passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 82. Performance Details: – Performer: Elton John – Song: The Beach Boys "God Only Knows" – Event: 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – Location: Los Angeles, California ▶ Watch more from the Rock Hall 2025 Induction Ceremony: https://bit.ly/482z0Jr ▶ Learn more about The Beach Boys: https://rockhall.com/inductees/beach-... 🔔 Subscribe for more legendary live performances, induction moments, and music history: https://bit.ly/RockHallYT #RockHall2025 #EltonJohn #GodOnlyKnows #TheBeachBoys #BrianWilson #PetSounds #Cover