Brian Wilson, the founder and frontman of The Beach Boys, passed away on June 11. Surviving members of his family revealed in a statement that the noted music producer and singer had passed away. Wilson fought a lifelong battle with mental illness and never reached the peak of his early years of music production.
Wilson has been an influential figure in the music industry, but has faced a tragic and tumultuous life. He was part of a controversial therapy program to treat his schizoaffective disorder, and his family was plagued by tragedy. Fellow Beach Boys members and brothers Carl and Dennis Wilson also died before him.
The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson passed away at 82
The Beach Boys are one of the greatest bands to exist, with their sound influencing multiple generations of musicians, all thanks to the creative genius of frontman Brian Wilson. The controversial yet incredible musician is known for his experimental works in the studio, with the band rivaling The Beatles in the ‘60s.
Though the lineup changed over the years, Brian Wilson, along with his brothers Carl and Dennis, his cousin Mike Love, and rhythm guitarist Al Jardine, formed the original lineup of the band. The Beach Boys were known for their signature ‘California Sound’, with their early works often referring to their Californian lifestyle, including surfing.
Wilson, the only surviving Wilson brother of the band, passed away on June 11. The musician’s family posted a statement on Instagram without stating a cause. The singer was reportedly diagnosed with dementia in 2024. The statement from the family 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.
Tributes poured in from musicians around the world for Wilson. Artists like Bob Dylan, Elton John, Nancy Sinatra, and more paid tribute to the musician for influencing their own works and music at large (via BBC).
Brian Wilson had a tumultuous life and faced the tragic deaths of his siblings
Brian Wilson and his brothers, Carl and Dennis Wilson, formed more than half of the Beach Boys, but with the former’s death, the band has now lost all members of the Wilson family. They co-founded the band together, with cousin Mike Love and Al Jardine, in their garage. Brian Wilson struggled all his life with his mental illness, which affected his work.
The Wilson family saw the first tragedy with the death of Dennis Wilson. The youngest son of the family, Dennis, was the drummer of the band and was, funnily, the only member who actually surfed. He was known for his association with Charles Manson and reportedly felt guilty for introducing the notorious killer to the Hollywood scene (via Rolling Stone).
Dennis Wilson died after diving into the water while heavily drunk. He drowned after he reportedly got into a fight with an acquaintance. Wilson was a controversial figure, having been a victim of substance abuse problems and several health issues due to it. He was known for his reckless lifestyle.
Carl Wilson was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1997 and passed away soon after in 1998. It is quite telling that Brian Wilson was the last to go, as his mental health issues and his problems with psychedelics gave him a lot of issues. However, the musician continued to make music till his final years, and went away as a legend.
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