Brian Wilson in ‘The Beach Boys: Making Pet Sounds’. Photo: Apple TV+.
Preview:
- Musical icon Brian Wilson has died aged 82.
- He co-founded the Beach Boys.
- Wilson’s music evolved beyond its pop roots.
Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind The Beach Boys and a pioneering force in American pop music, has died at the age of 82.
“The Life, Love and Genius of Brian Wilson”
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2 hrJun 19th, 2015
Wilson’s family announced his death via an Instagram statement:
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” they wrote. “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.”
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Brian Wilson: Early Life
The Beach Boys in 2024’s ‘The Beach Boys’ documentary. Photo: Disney+.
Born on June 20, 1942, in Hawthorne, California, Brian Douglas Wilson emerged as one of the most innovative and influential figures in 20th-century music.
Though largely deaf in his right ear from an early age, he was encouraged to sing and play by his father Murry, an amateur songwriter who controlled his sons with extreme emotional and sometimes physical abuse.
Guided by the example of the ’50s pop vocal group the Four Freshman and influenced by such doo-wop acts as Dion and the Belmonts, Wilson — who was fluent on the piano from an early age — schooled his younger brothers in close-harmony singing.
During their years at Hawthorne High, he founded the band Carl & the Passions (so named to induce his brother’s participation) with his siblings and first cousin Mike Love.
Al Jardine, a Wilson classmate at El Camino College, joined them in an embryonic group, provisionally named the Pendletons after the then-popular shirt.
Brian Wilson: Beach Boys and beyond
Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys in ‘The Beach Boys: Making Pet Sounds’. Photo: Apple TV+.
Wilson co-founded The Beach Boys in 1961 alongside his brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Love, and high school friend Al Jardine. With hits like “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “California Girls,” and “I Get Around,” the band captured the sun-soaked dreams of a generation. But it was Wilson’s deepening musical ambition that elevated their work into the realm of artistry.
In 1966, he masterminded Pet Sounds, a lush and introspective album widely hailed as one of the greatest of all time.
The album’s intricate arrangements and emotional depth influenced countless artists, including The Beatles. Later that year, Wilson unveiled “Good Vibrations,” a song that pushed the boundaries of what pop music could be, combining elaborate production with raw emotion.
Despite his professional triumphs, Wilson struggled with mental illness for much of his life. In the late 1960s, he began to withdraw from public life as he battled depression, anxiety, and the effects of drug abuse. The long-shelved “Smile” project became symbolic of both his artistic vision and his inner turmoil.
Wilson’s later years were marked by a remarkable resurgence. He returned to performing in the 1990s, released critically acclaimed solo albums, and in 2004, finally completed and released “Brian Wilson Presents Smile” to widespread acclaim. His candidness about his struggles endeared him to generations of fans who saw in him not only a musical genius, but a deeply human artist.
Over his lifetime, Wilson received numerous honors, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and a Kennedy Center Honor in 2007. His influence can be heard in artists as varied as Paul McCartney, Radiohead, and Frank Ocean.
Wilson’s struggles were brought to cinematic life in 2014’s ‘Love & Mercy,’ which starred Paul Dano and John Cusack as different versions of the musician.
Brian Wilson: recent illness and family
(Left) Brian Wilson in ‘Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile’. Photo: Showtime.
In 2024, it was revealed that Wilson was suffering from dementia following the death of his second wife, Melinda Ledbetter. Following this, he was placed in a conservatorship, with his long-time publicist Jean Sievers, and his manager, LeeAnn Hard, as his conservators.
Wilson is survived by daughters Carnie and Wendy from his first marriage to Marilyn Rovell (who themselves achieved huge chart success in the ’90s as members of the pop group Wilson Phillips) and by millions of fans around the world who found light, longing, and life in his music.
As he once wrote, “God only knows what I’d be without you.” For music lovers everywhere, the world is undeniably richer for having had Brian Wilson in it.
Brian Wilson in 2021’s ‘Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road ‘. Photo: Peacock.