Jeff Foskett performs in California in December 2014.Photo:Daniel Knighton/FilmMagic
Daniel Knighton/FilmMagic
Jeff Foskett, a longtime member ofThe Beach Boys, has died at age 67.
Best known as one of the guitarists and falsetto vocalists of the legendary surf rock group, Foskett was a studio and touring musician of the band since the early ‘80s. While he first joined theMike Love-fronted iteration of theSurfin' Safarigroup, he also played in theBrian WilsonBand.
Earlier this year, the musicianposted to Instagramto share that he had been in treatment for the past four years.
Jeff Foskett, Mike Love and John Stamos perform in California in March 2018.Scott Dudelson/Getty
Scott Dudelson/Getty
Aside from his work with The Beach Boys, Foskett also released solo music and recorded and toured with other major names includingPaul McCartney,Barry Manilow,Eric Claptonand others, according to hisofficial website.
“Jeff was always there for me when we toured and we couldn’t have done it without him,” Wilson wrote of Foskett, who he made his musical director when he launched his first solo tour in the ‘90s. “Jeff was one of the most talented guys I ever knew. He was a great musical leader and guitarist and he could sing like an angel.”
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ThePet Soundsartist also reflected on their quintessential, first encounter with Foskett when he was a young fan of the “Good Vibrations” group. “I first met Jeff in 1976 when he knocked on my door in Bel Air and I invited him in, and we were friends ever since,” he wrote. “I don’t know what else to say. Love and Mercy to Jeff’s family and friends, we will remember him forever.”
Love and his wife Jacquelyne also paid tribute to the late musician on Monday.On Instagram, he shared a carousel of photos of him with the singer/guitarist from recent years and wrote that a member of the “great big family” known as The Beach Boys had died.
John Stamos, who has occasionally performed with The Beach Boys since 1985, shared a moving tribute in his memory, as well. The actor, 60,sharedtwocarouselsof photos from over the years of their 40-year friendship on Instagram and a thoughtful message in the captions.
After sharing that his 5-year-old sonBilly, whom he shares with his wifeCaitlin McHugh Stamos, helped him to grieve, he sang praises of Foskett’s sense of humor and uplifting spirit and reflected on what a “profound impact” he had on his own life.
Stamos wrote, “Jeff was more than just a friend; he was the one who brought the harmonies of The Beach Boys into my life, and with them, a spectrum of color and joy I never dreamed would be part of my life.”
“Yet, when I think of the 40 years we shared – the uproarious laughter, the music that we believed changed lives, and the unshakable bond of brotherhood – I can’t help but feel grateful. Grateful for every moment, every note, every piece of wisdom he shared with me.”
The third surviving founding member of “God Only Knows” band Jardine, 81, reflected on the loss of Foskett onsocial media, as well, sharing that he “always kept in touch with [the band], no matter which Beach Boys hat he was wearing.”
On Wednesday, Foskett’s family alsoshared a statementto thank fans and friends for the “outpouring of love and support” they’ve received.
“We love reading about every show, every tour memory, and every laugh he provided to the world. We are deeply touched knowing Jeff has played such a pivotal role in so many of your lives, as he did ours,” they wrote on Instagram.
He shared that playing on the band’s 50th Reunion Tour in 2012 remained a career highlight. The rocker said, “We did 75 or so shows with that, and I’d never had more fun in my whole life than doing that tour. That was the most fun tour I’d ever been on, and I’ve been on a lot of tours.”
“God’s been really great to me,” he said of the successes that lasted throughout his career.
source: people.com
