Billy Hinsche 1951-2021

[Ian]

I echo what Craig said-as I said elsewhere-he was very generous with me-I talked with him many times. A great guy!

[Stephen W. Desper]

COMMENT:  Billy's passing . . . too, too soon. He had so much more to give -- damn cancer.  Memories of Billy go back 50 years. He was always around and involved in one way or another. Whether in the studio or on the road, we always had good times and laughs together, a good friend indeed. We were planning an Interview on his podcast, during which he never mentioned his health. That was how he was, always about the music, not him. Such a talent, his contributions to Beach Boy music are incalculable. That he will be missed is an understatement. Rest in Peace my friend.
~Steve Desper

[Mark A. Moore]

I was sorry to hear of Billy's passing. Glad I got to meet him and see him perform live, including a solo set. Great musician.

[CenturyDeprived]

RIP Billy and Celia. Such very sad news.

The scene in "long promised road" where Brian listens to "farewell, my friend", written by Dennis in honor of Billiy's father Otto, takes on a whole new meaning.

💔

[Bill Barnyard]

Awful news. Billy meant so much to the band. The Beach Boy 'kids' referred to him as 'Uncle Billy'. He loved music but especially the Beach Boys music.

[Peadar 'Big Dinner' O'Driscoll]

Very sad news. It's easy to see how much he meant to all the extended Beach Boys family. RIP Billy.

[Emdeeh]

One of the best things about Billy is how much of himself he shared in his online shows. Go watch them if you haven’t already, or watch them again.

[Tony S]

Totally agree, Billy was an open book, a revelation and historian of all things Beach Boy. He will be greatly missed.

[Lonely Summer]

Never met him, but exchanged a few messages online, and saw him play with the Beach Boys many times, and in Carl's band in 1983.
Too many of the great ones leaving us now. Keith Allison, former Paul Revere and the Raiders bassist/guitarist/singer, died just a couple days before. And yes, there's a Beach Boys connection. He was on the same show as the Beach Boys several times in the mid 60's.

[GoogaMooga]

Just read the news on yahoo, very sad. Billy Hinsche was an integral part of the 70s Beach Boys sound. One thing that has not been mentioned are his DVD diaries of the band on the road. I wonder what will become of them now. I was lucky to see Billy live on tour with Brian at an open-air gig in Aalborg, Denmark. I shouted an excited, "Billy!", and he smiled back at me. RIP Billy Hinsche

[thetojo]

Very sad to hear of this.

His memory will live on.

[Robbie Mac]

He would have been, what, 14 or 15 in this shot? Living every 60’s teenaged boy’s dream. And that was only the start of his remarkable life in show business.

[juggler]

Billy's obituary with funeral details...
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/los-angeles-ca/william-hinsche-10457046

[Steve Latshaw]

A wonderful tribute in Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/billy-hinsche-beach-boys-dino-desi-billy-dead-obit-1260824/