Brian Wilson, the legendary pop innovator and co-founder of the Beach Boys, has died at the age of 82.
His family announced the news on Wednesday, June 11, in an Instagram post that included a recent photo of Wilson smiling while seated on a bench.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” the statement said. “We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”
Brian Wilson, born on June 20, 1942, in Hawthorne, California, was a musical visionary best known as the co-founder and creative force behind the Beach Boys. Widely regarded as one of pop music’s greatest innovators, Wilson was a gifted composer, arranger, producer, and singer whose influence shaped generations of musicians.
Wilson formed the Beach Boys in 1961 alongside his brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Drawing inspiration from 1950s rock and roll, doo-wop harmonies, and Southern California surf culture, the group quickly rose to fame with hits like “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” and “I Get Around.” Brian, the band’s principal songwriter and producer, was known for his sophisticated harmonies and intricate arrangements, often layering multiple vocal and instrumental tracks to create lush soundscapes.
In 1966, Wilson reached the height of his creative powers with Pet Sounds, a landmark album praised for its emotional depth and studio innovation. Though initially overshadowed in the U.S. by the band’s earlier hits, Pet Sounds later gained recognition as one of the greatest albums in music history. Its lead single, “God Only Knows,” became a classic, admired for its unusual structure and vulnerability.
Wilson also pushed the boundaries of pop with “Good Vibrations,” a single he described as a “pocket symphony.” However, the pressures of fame, coupled with struggles with mental illness and drug use, led Wilson to withdraw from touring and public life in the late 1960s.
Over the decades, Wilson faced numerous personal and professional challenges, including battles with depression and an abusive relationship with his controversial therapist, Eugene Landy. Despite these setbacks, Wilson staged a remarkable comeback in the 2000s. He released new solo music, completed Smile—his long-shelved ambitious follow-up to Pet Sounds—and returned to performing live, receiving standing ovations from audiences worldwide.
Brian Wilson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 as a member of the Beach Boys and earned numerous accolades throughout his career, including Grammy Awards and a Kennedy Center Honor. He remained an enduring figure in American music, revered for his groundbreaking artistry and emotional honesty.
Back in 2024, Tiphero reported that Wilson’s family filed court documents requesting that a conservatorship be put in place for Brain who was 81 years old and suffering from “neurocognitive disorder,” which can be compared to dementia. This occurred only weeks after Wilson dealt with the devastating loss of his wife Melinda. The couple had been married for 28 years before she di.ed.