Brian Wilson, the innovative songwriter and co-founder of the Beach Boys, passed away at 82 on Wednesday, June 11, according to a statement from his family shared on social media. His children announced his death in a heartfelt post on his official Instagram account, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of their cherished father.
The family shared that they were struggling to find the right words and asked for privacy as they mourn. Wilson died early in the morning, according to former bandmate Al Jardine, who confirmed the news to the press. The family did not immediately disclose a cause of death.
Wilson had faced a neurocognitive disorder resembling dementia, a condition that came to light in 2024 after the passing of his longtime wife, Melinda. Last year, his legal team made public that conservatorship had been recommended, and a judge ordered it the same year.
Born June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, Wilson founded the Beach Boys in 1961 alongside his brothers Dennis and Carl, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. The group was first known as the Pendletones before they released their first hit, “Surfin’,” co-written by Wilson and Love, in 1961. The band quickly rose to fame, becoming one of America’s most iconic acts during the 1960s.
Wilson played a central role as the group’s main songwriter, co-lead vocalist, and producer, creating classic songs such as “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “California Girls,” “I Get Around,” and “Good Vibrations.” The Beach Boys sold over 100 million records around the world and earned the 12th spot on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.” Their popularity at times matched that of the Beatles.
In 1964, following a nervous breakdown, Wilson’s involvement in touring changed dramatically, and he experienced two more breakdowns in the following years. He withdrew from live performances but remained the creative force behind the band, ultimately producing their acclaimed 1966 album “Pet Sounds,” which is now recognized as one of the greatest pop records of all time.
Although “Pet Sounds” struggled with sales upon release, it later gained widespread esteem and profoundly influenced the Beatles as they worked on “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Paul McCartney has frequently cited “Pet Sounds” as a major inspiration, claiming musical education isn’t complete without listening to it and noting how the album moved him to tears.
Wilson’s approach to creating music in the 1960s was shaped significantly by his experimentation with psychedelic drugs, especially LSD. It’s said he wrote “Good Vibrations” while under its influence, and his drug use fueled much of his artistic output. However, these substances, coupled with mental health issues like schizoaffective disorder, drove him further into isolation from public life.
Throughout his later years, Wilson struggled with paranoid delusions and ongoing auditory hallucinations. By the mid-1970s, his substance abuse had expanded to heroin, and he became more withdrawn as his marriage to singer Marilyn Rovell unravelled. The death of his father in June 1973 marked another difficult chapter, causing him to retreat further and exhibit destructive behaviors.
Despite setbacks, Wilson made multiple comebacks, notably returning to perform with the Beach Boys in 1976 under the banner “Brian’s Back!” He also worked off and on with controversial psychologist Eugene Landy, though legal measures were eventually required to sever the relationship. Wilson was officially diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and mild manic depression later in life.
In his final decades, Wilson released several solo projects and briefly reunited with the Beach Boys for tours and studio work. He sold his song catalog to Universal for $50 million in 2021 and gave his last live performance during a joint tour with Chicago in 2022. His most recent public appearance was in April 2024, attending a Los Angeles Lakers game in a wheelchair.
Wilson was married twice, first to Marilyn Rovell in 1964, with whom he had daughters Carnie and Wendy, who later formed the group Wilson Phillips. In 1995, he wed Melinda Ledbetter, and together they adopted five children. Wilson credited Melinda as his savior in the statement he released after her death in 2024.
Artists across generations have recognized Wilson’s significant impact on popular music. Bob Dylan once highlighted Wilson’s extraordinary musical ear, noting that even advanced technology couldn’t replicate the unique sound Wilson achieved with just four tracks. Over the years, Wilson received many accolades, including Grammy Awards, induction into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and an honor from the Kennedy Center in 2007.