"I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while," McCartney wrote Thursday, a day after Wilson died at age 82.

God Only Knows” how respected Brian Wilson was for his talent. The Beach Boy, whose death at the age of 82 was announced Wednesday, drew online tributes. Paul McCartney shared a series of photos of Wilson,

Sir Paul McCartney has paid tribute to legendary Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson, as a legion of stars hailed the singer and songwriter's legacy following his death at the age of 82. Wilson "had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special", the Beatles musician said in a statement on Instagram.