Sir Paul McCartney once revealed that Brian Wilson’s efforts in creatingThe Beach Boys’progressive and complex 1966 albumPet Soundswere a massive influence on one ofThe Beatles’best albums. A co-founder ofThe Beach Boys, one of the most iconic rock bands of all time, Wilson passed away on August 14, 2025, at the age of 82 in his home state of California. After Wilson helped spearhead The Beach Boys to international fame with hit songs like “Surfin' USA” and “I Get Around,” he became the band’s prolific sole producer and mastermind behind the groundbreakingPet Sounds.
The Beatles and The Beach Boys originated roughly around the same time during the early 1960s, sharing a bit of a friendly rivalry throughout the decade. After Wilson stepped away from the spotlight in 1964 to focus more intently on music production, he began working on what would becomePet Sounds, featuring songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “God Only Knows”, and “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times.“Wilson cited The Beatles' 1965 albumRubber Soulas an inspiration for his approach toPet Sounds, the album which McCartney later revealed helped inspire1967’sSgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Sgt Pepper’s Wouldn’t Exist Without The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds
McCartney Credits Pet Sounds As Sgt. Pepper’s Biggest Influence
McCartney has stated how integralPet Soundswas to the creation of what many consider to be the greatest album by The Beatles,Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Bandin a1997 interview with David Leaf that was included inThe Pet Sounds Sessionsbox set.
I played it to John so much that it would be difficult for him to escape the influence.
“I played it to John so much that it would be difficult for him to escape the influence. If records had a director within a band, I sort of directed[Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band]and my influence was basically thePet Soundsalbum.” This shows how influential Wilson’sPet Soundsvision was not only on the evolving sound of The Beach Boys, but on that of The Beatles as well.
McCartney added, “John was influenced by it, perhaps not as much as me. It was certainly a record we all played—it was the record of the time, you know? I’ve often playedPet Soundsand cried. It’s that kind of an album for me.” McCartney also stated thatPet Soundsblew him out of the water the first time he heard it. “First of all, it was Brian’s writing. I love the album so much. I’ve just bought my kids each a copy of it for their education in life—I figure no one is educated musically ’til they’ve heard that album.”
Brian Wilson’s Impact Goes Far Beyond The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds Has Influenced & Spawned Several Rock & Pop Subgenres
Wilson’s creative process behind the making ofPet Soundsbecame such a monumental feat in the modern music landscape that it was chronicled in the2014 feature filmLove & Mercy. The biopic starred Paul Dano and John Cusack, who both portrayed Wilson at different stages in his life. Wilson even appeared as himself in variousTV shows and films, such asFull HouseandBaywatch.
While the true impact ofPet Soundson generations of musicians and bands can never be fully measured, The Beatles are not the only major artists who have credited the album as a direct source of inspiration.Alternative rock bands such as Radiohead have drawn inspiration fromPet Soundsas an ambitious project using unconventional instruments while crafting 1997’sOK Computer. It’s believed thatPet Soundsis a sort of grandfather to 2000s indie and emo rock, leading to the rise of bands like Weezer and Death Cab for Cutie.
Pet Soundsadded sophistication to rock music through innovative orchestration and studio techniques that had only ever been seen before in classical music.
WithPet Sounds, Wilson became the first member of a rock band to fully write, arrange, and produce an entire record, setting a precedent that redefined the roles of music producers. The album also greatly influenced the emergence of subgenres such aspsychedelic rock, soft pop, and progressive pop, a precursor to prog rock.Pet Soundsadded sophistication to rock music through innovative orchestration and studio techniques that had only ever been seen before in classical music. Brian Wilson’s effect onThe Beatlesand the landscape of modern music truly cannot be overstated.
