Brian Wilson, legendary co-founder and chief songwriter for The Beach Boys, has died at the age of 82.
Wilson’s family announced his passing on social media on Wednesday, June 11, featuring a recent photo of Wilson smiling on a bench. Their statement read: “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. 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.”
Wilson co-founded the Beach Boys in 1961 and played a huge role in developing the popular “California sound” that became a signature of the era. Hits include “Surfin’ USA,” “In My Room,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Surfer Girl,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Good Vibrations,” “God Only Knows” and more. He served as the rock band’s songwriter and co-lead vocalist and also played bass guitar and keyboard alongside brothers, Dennis and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, as part of the group’s original lineup (per PEOPLE).
The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and were honored in 2001 with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, Wilson won two Grammy Awards for his solo work, one for “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow” in 2005 and another for “The Smile Sessions” in 2013. He was also recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007 and earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2016 for writing an original song featured on the soundtrack of the biopic, Love & Mercy.
Wilson was married twice, first to Marilyn Rovell, from 1964 to 1979, and then to Melinda Kae Ledbetter, whom he married in 1995. Wilson’s family announced in May 2024 that he was dealing with “major neurocognitive disorder”- the term used to describe what was previously known as dementia — and was placed under a conservatorship following the passing of his wife, Melinda, earlier that year.
Wilson is survived by his two daughters, Carnie and Wendy, whom he shares with his first wife; as well as five children he adopted with Ledbetter: Daria, Delanie, Dylan, Dash and Dakota Rose.
Editorial credit: DFP Photographic / Shutterstock.com
