John Stamos was by Beach Boys founding member Mike Love's side when news of Brian Wilson's death on Wednesday stunned the music world. 'His face went blank,' the actor recalls.

Mike Love exclusively tells PEOPLE that he and late Beach Boys bandmate Brian Wilson are "inseparable" both in "life and afterlife" ahead of the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony on June 12.

John Stamos, Nancy Sinatra and John Cusack were among the celebrities paying tribute to musician Brian Wilson after his death was announced Wednesday. Wilson's family announced the Beach Boys founder had died in an Instagram post on his account.

Brian Wilson and his family were open about his health, from his needing a conservatorship for his dementia to his battle with substance use.

“Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while. How we will continue without Brian Wilson, ‘God Only Knows.’”

"This album never got finished and these tracks will live on my drive in obscurity, but they’re really great," Jonathan Wilson wrote.