Musician Jeffrey Foskett has passed away at the age of 67 after a lengthy health battle.
The singer and guitarist was best known for joining the American rock band The Beach Boys in 1981 and staying with the band for four decades during which his voice became an integral part of the group.
The popular touring band was founded in 1961 by brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson as well as their friend Al Jardine and cousin Mike Love.
The tragic news was shared by Brian Wilson himself who revealed that his bandmate passed away after a battle with anaplastic thyroid cancer.
Earlier this year, in March, Foskett branded himself as God’s “walking miracle” as he proudly rang the bell at a cancer ward following his radiotherapy treatment.
He also said he was “thriving” after learning to count his blessings during his four-year battle with the unforgiving illness.
“I’m so heartbroken that my dear friend Jeff Foskett has passed,” Wilson wrote in his announcement.
“Jeff was always there for me when we toured and we couldn’t have done it without him. 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. 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. I don’t know what else to say. Love and Mercy to Jeff’s family and friends, we will remember him forever.”
Breaking his silence was also Jeffrey’s longtime friend John Stamos who posted a lengthy tribute to the iconic singer and guitarist.
“Today, I lost more than a friend; I lost a part of my soul, my history – Jeffrey Foskett, my dearest friend, brother, and the brightest light in my life, has left this world,” he wrote.
“This morning, when I got the news, uncontrollable tears streamed down my face, a physical manifestation of the heartache within. 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.”
The emotional tribute continued: “He was a vibrant force, a radiant soul whose laughter and wisdom touched everyone he met. He was an older brother in spirit, guiding, lifting, and loving me, sometimes more than I thought I deserved.
“Jeff taught me that love is a beautiful and necessary part of our lives, but it comes with a cost—the unbearable pain of loss. 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.”
Our thoughts remain with Jeffrey’s loved ones during this challenging time.