"I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while," McCartney wrote Thursday, a day after Wilson died at age 82.

The Beatles member posted a thought tribute on Instagram to the Beach Boys founder who died on Wednesday, June 11. He shared an image of a young Wilson, along with more recent pictures of the rock legends together.

God Only Knows” how respected Brian Wilson was for his talent. The Beach Boy, whose death at the age of 82 was announced Wednesday, drew online tributes. Paul McCartney shared a series of photos of Wilson,