Britain is in the midst of a knife crime epidemic. The total number of offences involving a knife or bladed instrument that have been recorded by police in the year to March 2018 rose to 40,147, a seven-year-high.
London has become a city ravaged by bloodshed as a result of knife attacks. There were 1,299 stabbings in the capital up to the end of April 2018, according to official statistics from the Met Police. Just this past week alone there have been five killings, taking the total number of murders in the city to 119 this year.
A knife crime may take one life directly, but indirectly it 'takes' many more. Eastern Eye looks at the story of one family whose lives were irretrievably broken as a result of losing a loved one to a horrific murder and how they are fighting for a change in law in his memory...
Zakariyya Islam was a 45-year-old husband and father-of-three girls. A joyful character, known for his big smile and warm bear-hugs when he met you, Zakariyya was a much-loved, highly-respected member of the community in Tower Hamlets, where he had spent his entire life.
His time as a scout leader, a caretaker at Stepney Green School and then later as a driving instructor made him a well-known figure in the close-knit community. But what made him a beacon of light for many was his selfless support for the Muslim community and his diligent voluntary work for the East London Mosque, which he supported from his teenage years right up until the day of his death.
"Zakariyya was our local hero," says Harun Rashid Khan, who is the secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain. "He was a role model for the community, especially for the young people of this area.
"He was also my friend and companion for over 35 years. His life was so colourful, we spent so much time together. I travelled a lot with Zakariyya. We even did Hajj together. And there isn’t a single thing I can say of criticism or fault-finding. If anything, his character was a hundred times better than mine in many ways.
"Zakariyya was the most liveliest among our group of friends. He used to make us laugh, make us cry, he used to entertain us. He was an example to us. He should be spoken about to our friends, our peers and our children as somebody to look up to as a man of good character, a man who was forthright and honest in society."
On September 14th 2015, Zakariyya completed his evening prayers at the East London Mosque and then headed off to his Islamic therapy centre opposite the mosque at Greatorex Street, in Whitechapel.
Zakariyya, who was a black-cab driver by trade, had opened the centre to help people through accepted Islamic practices. His work was approved and was supported by the East London Mosque. People from all walks of life, suffering from wide-range of emotional issues would visit him for spiritual support and guidance.
Though working as a black-cab driver was far more lucrative to him, Zakariyya’s desire to help people saw him spend more and more time at the centre. After his passing, people came in droves to reveal how Zakariyya had helped them and often treated them for free when he found out they were not financially stable.
On the evening of the 14th, sitting at his desk in his office, with his back turned from the door, Zakariyya was viciously attacked with a 25cm kitchen knife and was stabbed in the chest, stomach and had his heart punctured. He passed-away at the scene.
Ashfaq Choudhry, a 43-year-old dentist, had travelled from his home in Watford to murder Zakariyya. Choudhry was caught 30 minutes later and admitted he had ‘stabbed someone’.
At his sentencing, it was revealed that Choudhry had a history of anxiety, depression and psychosis and had gone to Zakariyya for treatment. He had also been arrested for two previous knife attacks. Despite all this, Choudhry had still been left free to work at a dental practice in North London.
At his sentencing, Choudhry was found guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibly at the Old Bailey, and was given a hospital order under the Mental Health Act, without a time limit.
The judge Richard Marks QC, described Zakariyya as an "outstanding individual", adding:
"There is no doubt that he (Mr Islam) was doing what he genuinely thought was best in order to alleviate your symptoms."
However, just over three years after committing murder and two-and-a-half-years after being sentenced, Choudhry could be free to walk the streets again – a horrifying thought for Zakariyya’s family who not only fear for their own safety, but also for the safety of the general public.
A mental health tribunal which was scheduled for Monday (12) but was postponed for a later date, will decide if Choudhry has been fully rehabilitated and ready to rejoin public life. Zakariyya’s family will have no say in the mater and will not be allowed to attend the tribunal.
On Friday (9) hundreds of members of the public as well as community leaders, including Tower Hamlets Mayor Jon Biggs; and Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Bow; came together at the East London Mosque for the 'Justice for Zakariyya Islam' campaign, which demands that Choudhry not be released over fears for public safety and a change in the law to allow more transparency and a greater role for a victim’s family in the tribunal process.
Rushanara Ali MP, who has been supporting Zakariyya's family in their campaign, paid tribute to the "amazing courage his wife, daughters and rest of family has shown". She is representing the family in order to get the government to place more importance to the needs of victims’ families in cases such as these.
Ali said: "The family are rightly concerned about their safety, concerned about the public’s safety, and concerned about a lack of transparency in the process of potentially releasing the man responsible for Mr Islam’s murder after just three years.
"Some of the questions I have been seeking answers to from the Justice Minister are what information family members, not just in this case, but in other cases, should expect? What sort of safeguarding should they be provided? Why isn’t there a stronger role, as this family has found, stronger space for family members within the (tribunal) system? What can we learn from other parts of the UK, such as Scotland, where there is greater transparency and information for family members in these sorts of cases. The Minister of Justice and the Secretary of State should be answering these questions.
"It is crucial the family has a strong voice and that the victim is heard. Of course there needs to be a balance but at the moment it seems to me, certainly in relation to this case that the family is being left in the dark and that is wrong. We will hold the Justice Minster to account and make sure the government listens to victims’ families."
Ali added: "And it is of course a terrifying prospect that perpetrator might carry out similar attacks in the future and that the family’s safety might be at risk.
"At a time when support systems in the NHS for the mental health service is breaking down, it is understandable that victims’ families in these situation are not going to have the confidence in mental health experts who ask for an early release say the perpetrator might not act again."
Julian Hendy is a documentary filmmaker who has worked for the BBC and ITV producing shows such as Panorama and Dispatches. In 2007, his father was stabbed to death outside his local newsagents by a stranger suffering from mental illness. The killer was known to the local mental health service after his family raised concern saying his mental health was deteriorating as a result of his drug abuse. Nothing was done however and he was left free to kill Hendy’s father.
Hendy, an investigative journalist of 20 years at the time of his father’s murder, found that the system was setup in way where he wasn’t able to find out information on the man who had killed his father. This led to him to create the Hundred Families organisation which supports families of people killed by someone suffering from mental health issues.
Speaking at Friday’s event, Hendy said: "When I spoke to the mental health trust they said he (the killer) would have to give his permission for me to find out anything about him. I thought that was just nonsense. The man who has just killed my dad has to give me his permission for me to find out because of his patient confidentiality.
"The man who killed Zakariyya has applied to a tribunal to be released. The trouble with the tribunal system is that it completely ignores the victim's family.
"Uniquely for a British court we are not even allowed to know the name of the judges or the people sitting on the panel making the decisions. We are not allowed to know the evidence they see. We are not allowed to know how they reached their decisions. We are not allowed to attend the hearing. We are not considered the interested party. We are not allowed to make personal statements of how the crime has effected us. We are not allowed to ask questions. Anything we say about the offender will be reported to the offender but anything he says about us or our loved ones will not be reported back to us. That’s not justice! Justice is not seen to be done.
"There should be changes in the law to give victims’ families effective rights in the tribunal process because they current system is a joke and families are not represented fairy at all. There should be a change in the law so that bereaved families can get the justice they and their loved ones deserve."
Hendy explained that a person being treated in hospital can get well quite soon because they are away from the "chaotic lifestyle that saw them spiral out of control in the first place". He said often patients get better because they are not taking drugs, alcohol and are taking their medication. But once they are out they could go back to their old ways and Hendy points to the numerous cases where mental health patients have been released from prison to recommit crime, including murder.
Hendy added: "I argue that somebody might have diminished responsibility because of mental illness but that doesn’t mean they have no responsibility!
"Releasing the man who killed Zakariyya will not be justice for his family or the wider community. He was convicted two-and-half-years ago. That is not enough time for them to have properly assessed his risk to the public. His ability to keep himself safe when he is out in the community."
Mayor Biggs agreed with Hendy describing the current tribunal system as "outrageous" and said he would use his powers to work with members of parliament to seek a changes.
"I am very clear that this is a just campaign and the law needs to be changed," said Biggs.
"Clearly when there is an issue of mental health we need to be compassionate and support people who are suffering trauma within themselves but we need to do so in a way that protects our community.
"You can do something bad and you can be held to account and you can be punished, you can learn, you can reform. But when the action is taking someone else’s life, that is an absolutely different order of offence from just about any other offence. And the way we deal with it cannot be justified as some sort of medical procedure or some sort of tribunal process. There needs to be a transparency and justice for victim's needs to be seen to be dome and that’s why I have no hesitation in supporting the campaign."
Biggs also paid tribute to Zakariyya saying he was someone who was "truly loved". He revealed that many of his colleagues and councillors had gone to Zakariyya for support and said he had helped them immensely.
"We should be proud that Zakariyya was part of our community and we will do everything we can do get justice for him," said Biggs.
As for Zakariyya’s family, they suffer from his loss each day. His brother, Abdun Noor, heartbreakingly revealed that their 84-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia, still doesn’t know that her son was murdered. She was told that he died from a stomach ailment, as the family felt knowing the truth would have had a detrimental effect to her already ailing health.
His wife and daughters are left with the profound aching of thoughts of all the happiness he would’ve experienced if his life wasn’t so brutally snatched away. In August, he would’ve become a grandfather for the first time. His eldest daughter, who got married just a month before her father passed away, welcomed a baby daughter into the world.
Paying tribute to her late father, his second daughter Zaynab said: "My father was a man of good character, integrity and dedication. My father left his mark on the hearts of everyone he came across. The ‘Gentle Giant’ was just that, kind and delicate, yet strong and firm in his belief in right and wrong. He believed everything good in life as a gift from God and strongly believed if we helped others, God in return would help us. Simply, my father was a man who would walk the earth twice over if he knew it would benefit you and make you smile."
To sign the petition so that Zakariyya Islam's killer is not released and for a change in the tribunal system, visit:
MORE THAN 350 technology companies from India joined London Tech Week, which began on Monday – making it the largest-ever delegation from the country to attend the event.
London mayor Sadiq Khan’s office, City Hall, described the rise in Indian participation as a reflection of deepening ties between India and London’s tech sectors, following the recent signing of the India– UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled a £187-million government “TechFirst” programme to bring digital skills and AI learning into classrooms and communities, training people of all ages and backgrounds for the tech careers of the future.
He also announced the launch of “Extract” – an AI assistant for planning officers and local councils developed by the UK government with support from Google.
Speaking at the London Tech Week, Starmer said, “For too long, our outdated planning system has held back our country – slowing down the development of vital infrastructure and making it harder to get the homes we need built.
“With Extract, we’re harnessing the power of AI to help planning officers cut red tape, speed up decisions, and unlock the new homes for hard-working people as part of our Plan for Change. It’s a bold step forward in our mission to build 1.5 million more homes and deliver a planning system that’s fit for the 21st century.”
London Tech Week is the UK’s largest technology event, held annually in June and brings together over 45,000 attendees from more than 90 countries, including innovators, investors, tech leaders, and policymakers.
Among Indian companies taking part are a mix of high growth and established firms such as The Black Box, Digi Osmosis, Bahwan CyberTek, Arya.ai, Mphasis, Helios Batteries, Fynd, Hyperready, MoneyHOP, Siam Computing.
Hemin Bharucha, chief representative of the mayor of London and regional director for India and the Middle East at London & Partners, noted the growing presence of Indian companies in London.
“London continues to be a preferred destination for Indian innovators and investors looking to scale globally, supported by a dynamic ecosystem that nurtures collaboration, innovation, and growth,” said Bharucha.
“Our record-breaking delegation at London Tech Week 2025 highlights the immense potential and ambition of Indian tech firms to contribute to London’s thriving technology landscape,” he added.
London & Partners, as the UK capital’s growth agency supported by the mayor of London, said it hoped to promote deeper partnerships and support Indian businesses as they expand in the UK.
“This collaboration not only strengthens bilateral ties, but also positions London and India at the forefront of the global tech revolution,” added Bharucha.
Over the past three years, India has emerged as the largest investor in London.
London & Partners figures show that 31 new Indian companies were established in London in 2023, followed by 23 in 2024, and a “game changing” nine companies have already set up in just the first two months of this new financial year. Earlier this year, fintech firms such as Paytm, India’s largest digital payments app, announced plans to invest in the UK to accelerate access to affordable digital payments and credit for small businesses.
WNS, a digital-led business transformation services company founded in India with a $2.7 billion (£2bn) market cap, will expand their London presence with a new office alongside an AI design hub. Similarly, Mphasis, an Indian tech business which has established an Innovation hub in London last year, is exploring how to scale their operations in the country. Ashish Devalekar, executive vice president and head of Europe, Mphasis, said, “The UK remains an innovation powerhouse and a global hub for world-leading businesses and talent. At Mphasis, we have steadily expanded our presence in the region over the past years, and we are now on the trajectory to double the headcount through our London Innovation Hub which we opened late last year.
“This centre is a testimony to our commitment to the UK and its vibrant tech scene and will be a focal point for developing next-generation solutions in AI, quantum computing, and beyond.”
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Don't Miss Fanna-Fi-Allah's Enchanting Qawwali Performance
London is set to host an unforgettable night of spiritual depth and musical brilliance as the renowned Sufi qawwali ensemble Fanna-Fi-Allah brings their celebrated performance to Union Chapel on Friday, 27 June. Located at 19b Compton Terrace, the historic and acoustically rich venue in Islington will come alive with the passionate, poetic and soul-stirring sounds of qawwali — a centuries-old devotional music tradition rooted in the mystical practices of Sufism. This much-anticipated concert promises to be a transcendent cultural experience, fusing ancient rhythm, powerful vocals and heartfelt devotion in a way that deeply resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
Fanna-Fi-Allah, an ensemble revered across continents for their authentic interpretations of classical qawwali, continues to preserve and elevate this spiritual art form with integrity and passion. With decades of dedication and training under legendary qawwals in Pakistan and India, the group has become one of the most respected global ambassadors of Sufi music. Their performances are marked by an electrifying blend of tabla, harmonium, handclaps and rich vocal harmonies that build to ecstatic crescendos — transporting listeners into a meditative and emotional state known in the Sufi tradition as haal.
The ensemble’s name, Fanna-Fi-Allah, translates to “annihilation in the divine,” reflecting the central Sufi concept of dissolving the ego in union with the divine presence. This philosophy echoes through every note they sing, drawing from the works of revered Sufi poets such as Rumi, Bulleh Shah, Amir Khusrow and Kabir. The group’s musical journey is not merely performance but devotion — a sacred offering intended to uplift and connect hearts across linguistic, cultural and spiritual boundaries.
Over the years, Fanna-Fi-Allah has performed at some of the world’s leading world music festivals and venues, including in the United States, Europe, Australia, and South Asia. Their London appearance offers UK audiences a rare opportunity to witness the spiritual intensity and cultural richness of qawwali performed with deep respect for its origins. This performance at Union Chapel — a space renowned for its architectural beauty and spiritual ambiance — will only enhance the depth of the experience.
As interest in spiritual and world music continues to grow, events like this serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of sacred traditions. In a time when many seek moments of stillness, connection and meaning, the devotional energy of Fanna-Fi-Allah’s qawwali offers something more than entertainment — it offers healing, remembrance, and transcendence.
Tickets and event details are available at www.unionchapel.org.uk. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this rare and powerful musical gathering — one that bridges centuries of Sufi tradition with the vibrancy of modern global audiences.
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The singer’s well-documented affection for her cats – Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin
The growing popularity of cats in the UK and beyond is being fuelled by a curious combination of celebrity influence and changing lifestyle habits. The so-called ‘Taylor Swift effect’ has contributed to a rise in cat ownership and feline-themed spaces, with pet cafés, retail outlets, and rescue lounges all capitalising on the craze.
The singer’s well-documented affection for her cats – Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin – has had a cultural ripple effect, especially among younger generations. In the UK and the US, cat ownership is rising, while cafés and retailers are increasingly creating spaces and products tailored to cat lovers.
Rising pet ownership among younger adults
The United States now has 94 million households with at least one pet, up from 82 million the previous year. Of those, 49 million homes include at least one cat. While these numbers reflect trends in the US, the UK is not far behind. Pet ownership, especially among millennials and Gen Z, continues to grow, with younger adults more likely to care for multiple pets.
The UK is also seeing a rise in cat-focused events and experiencesiStock
Cats have become central to many people’s daily lives, not only as companions but also as part of their broader lifestyle. Taylor Swift’s cat-themed content, including cameos in her music videos and social media appearances, has helped drive interest among fans. The influence of celebrities like Swift has also prompted businesses to embrace feline culture in new ways.
Cafés combine coffee and cat cuddles
Across major cities, cafés that host rescue cats are gaining popularity. In London, venues inspired by US models such as Crumbs & Whiskers and The Catcade are becoming social hubs, offering customers the chance to unwind in cosy spaces shared with cats awaiting adoption.
Crumbs & Whiskers, with branches in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., partners with rescue organisations to house adoptable cats in stylish lounges. The café model has proven successful in attracting visitors and raising awareness of adoption efforts.
Charleston’s Pounce Cat Café pairs drinks and feline company, while Chicago’s Catcade mixes retro arcade machines with cat rescue, offering a blend of entertainment and compassion.
Retail and rescue come together
The commercial response has extended beyond cafés. Retail brands such as Meow Parlour Shop in New York and Meowingtons in Florida have linked online shopping with feline welfare. Products range from cat-themed fashion to home accessories, and proceeds support rescue work.
In the UK, similar ventures are emerging, with independent retailers selling cat-inspired items that benefit shelters. These initiatives highlight how consumer interest in cats is being channelled into practical support for animal welfare.
Local events tap into feline fandom
The UK is also seeing a rise in cat-focused events and experiences. Inspired by US trends like KitTea Cat Lounge’s Pilates and wine nights or San Francisco’s Cello & Chill sessions, British organisers are exploring creative ways to connect people with rescue animals.
Taylor Swift UK fanbase may have helped bring cats into the cultural spotlightiStock
POP Cats, a US-based cat convention, has set a precedent for blending adoption drives with music, art, and pop culture. Such events have inspired similar concepts in the UK, often with the aim of promoting rescue adoptions and community engagement.
Insurance and policy adapt to the trend
The increasing integration of cats into everyday life is also prompting changes in pet care services. In the US, insurers such as Nationwide have introduced cat-specific health plans, covering routine wellness, behavioural therapy, and remote veterinary consultations. Similar policies are becoming more common in the UK, as providers respond to demand.
In addition, pet-friendly housing policies and local planning measures are gradually being introduced to reflect the growing number of pet-owning households. These changes suggest a longer-term shift in how cats are viewed within both homes and communities.
More than a trend
While the Taylor Swift UK fanbase may have helped bring cats into the cultural spotlight, the growth in feline ownership and visibility shows no sign of slowing. What started as a celebrity-driven interest has evolved into a broader movement that affects policy, retail, and community life.
Cafés, retailers, councils and pet insurance firms are responding in turn, recognising cats as central to modern domestic life. From playlists to public spaces, feline presence is no longer niche—it’s part of a new norm.
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FILE PHOTO: Former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani. (PTI Photo)
FORMER Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani was believed to be on board the London-bound Air India plane that crashed near the Ahmedabad airport soon after take-off on Thursday (12), a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said.
"Vijay Rupani was going to London by the Air India flight," senior BJP leader Bhupendrasinh Chudasama told reporters in Ahmedabad. "I am going to the city civil hospital to inquire about him," he added.
The plane was headed for Gatwick Airport and the passengers included 217 adults, 11 children and two infants. Air India said 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
Rescue workers said at least 30 to 35 bodies had been recovered from the site and that more people were trapped.
Thick black plumes of acrid smoke towered high above Ahmedabad airport on Thursday after the London-bound passenger jet with 242 people aboard crashed shortly after takeoff earlier in the day.
A reporter in the city said the plane crashed in an area between a hospital and the city’s Ghoda Camp neighbourhood.
Passengers included 217 adults, 11 children and two infants (PTI photo)
Authorities said it went down outside the airport perimeter, in a crowded residential area, which local media said included a hostel where medical students and young doctors live.
"When we reached the spot there were several bodies lying around and firefighters were dousing the flames," Poonam Patni told AFP. "Many of the bodies were burned."
Another resident, who declined to be named, said: "We saw people from the building jumping from the second and third floor to save themselves. The plane was in flames.
"We helped people get out of the building and sent the injured to the hospital."
Photographs released by India's Central Industrial Security Force, a paramilitary police force, showed a large chunk of the plane that had smashed through the brick and concrete wall of a building.
Visuals showed people being moved in stretchers and being taken away in ambulances.
"My sister-in-law was going to London. Within an hour, I got news that the plane had crashed," Poonam Patel, a relative of one of the passengers, told news agency ANI at the government hospital in Ahmedabad.
Ramila, the mother of a student at the medical college, told ANI her son had gone to the hostel for his lunch break when the plane crashed. "My son is safe, and I have spoken to him. He jumped from the second floor, so he suffered some injuries," she said.
People stand near the debris of the Air India plane that crashed in Ahmedabad (PTI photo)
Aviation tracking site Flightradar24 said the plane was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most modern passenger aircraft in service.
It was the first crash for the Dreamliner, which began flying commercially in 2011, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. The plane that crashed on Thursday flew for the first time in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014, Flightradar24 said.
Boeing said it was aware of initial reports and was working to gather more information.
Ahmedabad Airport is operated by India's Adani Group conglomerate.
— (@)
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragedy of Air India Flight 171," Gautam Adani, founder and chairman of the group, posted on X.
"Our hearts go out to the families who have suffered an unimaginable loss. We are working closely with all authorities and extending full support to the families on the ground," he said.
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Wilson built bridges between styles that rarely met
Brian Wilson, who died this week aged 82, is best remembered as the sonic architect of the Beach Boys and the laid-back "California sound" that swept the world in the 1960s. But to stop there would be to miss the scale of his ambition. Behind the striped shirts and sun-soaked harmonies was a composer and producer who transformed pop music, often by refusing to stay in one genre.
From symphonic pop to soul and psychedelia, Wilson built bridges between styles that rarely met. Here’s a look at six genres that define his legacy and show how much more there was to the man who gave us Good Vibrations.
1. Surf music – but deeper than it seemed
Wilson may have helped define surf rock, but his early work was far from novelty. Tracks like Surfer Girl and In My Room carried emotional weight and complex arrangements, showing Wilson’s desire to blend catchy hooks with rich harmonies. The Beach Boys' 1963–65 catalogue offered a polished, heartfelt counterpoint to the rawness of garage bands and early rock’n’roll.
2. Baroque pop – Pet Sounds and pop perfection
If one album changed the idea of what pop music could be, it was 1966’s Pet Sounds. Incorporating strings, woodwinds and intricate vocal layering, Wilson created a lush, introspective masterpiece that directly influenced The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper. God Only Knows is still considered by many, including Paul McCartney, to be one of the greatest songs ever written.
3. Psychedelic experimentation – Smile and beyond
If one album changed the idea of what pop music could be, it was 1966’s Pet SoundsGetty Images
Wilson’s most ambitious project, Smile, was meant to be a “teenage symphony to God”. Though shelved for decades, its fragments (like Heroes and Villains and Surf’s Up) revealed a composer playing with modular recording, avant-garde techniques, and surreal lyrical structures. When Wilson finally completed it in 2004, it was hailed as a lost classic of psychedelic pop.
4. R&B and soul – stripped back and heartfelt
By the late 1960s, the Beach Boys had shed their surfboards. Albums like Wild Honey (1967) reflected Wilson’s love for rhythm and blues, with tracks like Darlin’ showing a rougher, more soulful edge. The stripped-down production was a deliberate pivot away from the excess of Pet Sounds, but still brimming with melody and feeling.
5. Americana – the spiritual core of Smile
Even as he experimented, Wilson remained fascinated by America’s musical past. Smile included references to spirituals, cowboy songs, and folk traditions, blending them into a surreal journey through the country’s cultural memory. Cabin Essence and Wonderful offer glimpses into a deeply introspective version of American identity, filtered through Wilson’s fragile genius.
6. Adult pop balladry – the gentle strength of Love and Mercy
As dementia affected his final years, it’s this kind of understated emotional honesty that enduresRolling stone
In later years, Wilson’s solo work embraced vulnerability. His 1988 single Love and Mercy has become his personal anthem—gentle, aching, and hopeful. As dementia affected his final years, it’s this kind of understated emotional honesty that endures. “There’s a lot of people out there hurting,” he once said. “And it really scares me.”
A final chord
Wilson’s music lives on—not just in sun-drenched nostalgia, but in the emotional complexity he brought to modern music. His impact stretches from the Beatles to Bowie, from punk to dream pop. His life was often marked by personal turmoil, but his compositions soared beyond it.
Brian Wilson didn’t just soundtrack the beach. He gave pop music a soul, a brain, and occasionally, a nervous breakdown. And through it all, he kept writing.