Wilson’s family said in a statement they are “sharing our grief with the world”.
Brian Wilson, the pop music genius and singer who co-founded the Beach Boys, has died. He was 82.
The musician’s family announced his death on Wednesday, June 11 in an Instagram post featuring a recent photo of the star smiling on a bench.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” the statement read. “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 June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, was the creative force behind The Beach Boys, a band that defined the 1960s with their sun-soaked harmonies and innovative pop sound. As the group’s primary songwriter, producer, and arranger, Wilson crafted a string of hits that captured the California lifestyle, including “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “I Get Around,” “California Girls,” and “Good Vibrations.”
Wilson formed the band in 1961 with his brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine in Hawthorne, California. Initially focused on surf rock, their early hits like “Surfin’ Safari” (1962) rode the wave of California’s beach culture. But Wilson’s ambitions grew beyond surf tunes. Inspired by The Beatles and Phil Spector’s “Wall of Sound,” he pushed boundaries with albums like Pet Sounds (1966), a lush, introspective masterpiece that’s often ranked among the greatest albums ever. Songs like “God Only Knows” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” showcased his knack for emotional depth and orchestral complexity. Pet Sounds influenced The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, cementing Wilson’s impact on music.
His pursuit of perfection led to the ill-fated SMiLE project in 1966-67, meant to be his magnum opus. Combining avant-garde experimentation with whimsical themes, it was shelved due to Wilson’s mental health struggles, band tensions, and label pressure. The collapse of SMiLE marked a turning point; Wilson’s drug use and undiagnosed schizoaffective disorder led to a withdrawal from the band’s forefront. He spent years battling mental illness, exacerbated by controversial therapy under psychologist Eugene Landy in the 1970s and 1980s.
Despite setbacks, Wilson’s resilience shone through. He released a solo album, Brian Wilson (1988), and later completed SMiLE as Brian Wilson Presents Smile (2004), earning a Grammy.
Another Rocker
June 11, 2025 at QZVX
Maple Valley Mike says:
Another rocker that either endured or overcame his demons to live to 82.
Quite a coincidence!
June 11, 2025 at QZVX
Jason Remington says:
Interesting. Both made such an impression on the music of our times.