Longtime Beach Boys Player Jeff Foskett Dead of Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer at 67

The falsetto vocalist and guitarist had been a touring and studio member of the iconic surf rock group since the early '80s

Jeff Foskett, a longtime member of The 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 the Mike Love-fronted iteration of the Surfin' Safari group, he also played in the Brian Wilson Band.

In recent years, the performer joined the band — originally founded by the three Wilson brothers Brian, 81, Carl and Dennis, their cousin Love, 82, and friend Al Jardine — on their 50th Anniversary Tour in 2012. After joining the music legends on their milestone tour — which briefly reunited Love and Wilson — he toured with Love until he was diagnosed in 2019 with anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Earlier this year, the musician posted to Instagram to share that he had been in treatment for the past four years.

Related: The Members of the Beach Boys: Where Are They Now?

Aside from his work with The Beach Boys, Foskett also released solo music and recorded and toured with other major names including Paul McCartney, Barry Manilow, Eric Clapton and others, according to his official website.

Wilson confirmed Foskett’s death on Monday with a statement on Instagram. Along with a photo of himself embracing his late collaborator and “dear friend,” the music icon shared that he was “heartbroken” by the loss.

“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.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Pet Sounds artist 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.”

Related: The Beach Boys in Their Own Words: America's Band Tells the Tales Behind Their Pop Masterpieces

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.

“Jeff was and remains so very special and loved by so many,” Love wrote. “Jeff’s sense of humor, talent, charm and genuine heart of gold did not go unnoticed by anyone who crossed his path. He was called ‘The Voice’ for good reason, he could harmonize with the best, and he did! Listen to tonight’s stillness, as I am certain there is a very big heavenly party with ‘The Voice’ singing lead.”

John Stamos, who has occasionally performed with The Beach Boys since 1985, shared a moving tribute in his memory, as well. The actor, 60, shared two carousels of photos from over the years of their 40-year friendship on Instagram and a thoughtful message in the captions.

“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,” the TV star began his lengthy statement.

After sharing that his 5-year-old son Billy, whom he shares with his wife Caitlin 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 on social media, as well, sharing that he "always kept in touch with [the band], no matter which Beach Boys hat he was wearing."

Related: John Stamos's Addiction Struggles, Hollywood Romances and More: Find Out the Biggest Bombshells from His Memoir

On Wednesday, Foskett’s family also shared a statement to 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.

Following his cancer diagnosis and upon the release of what became his final album, Voices, the recording artist spoke to Rolling Stone about his storied career, going from being “the biggest Beach Boys fan” to playing with them.

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.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.