Photo: Stevo Rood

Brian Wilson, co-founder and principal songwriter for the Beach Boys, has died. The musician’s family confirmed his passing on social media. The creative force behind the mid-century pop-focused favorites, who contributed to California’s cool and laid-back aesthetic, passed away at age 82. 

In a post on social media, Wilson’s family confirmed his death. “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.” 

Before concluding their message, the family signed off “Love & Mercy,” alluding to the title of the track off Wilson’s eponymous 1988 solo album, and subsequently, the name for his film-adapted life story, which was released in 2014. 

Wilson was born on June 20, 1942, outside Los Angeles, in Inglewood, Calif. Music was a foundation of his early years, learning by ear and reproducing melody before picking up an instrument. 

By age 9, Wilson’s creative passion pushed him to examine song lyrics, reinterpreting the traditional “Oh! Susannah.” Three years later, when his family acquired an upright piano, Wilson taught himself the instrument, mastering his favorite songs and laying the groundwork for the effervescent career to come. 

The instrument fueled hours of after-school entertainment and swayed his passions. For Wilson’s 16th birthday, he received a portable two-track Wollensak tape recorder, which allowed him to experiment with recording songs and group vocals, along with exploring rudimentary production techniques. 

Wilson’s childhood was not all flowers and sunshine. While his father encouraged Brian and his brothers Dennis and Carl (who would later join him in the Beach Boys), Murry Wilson also subjected them to physical and emotional abuse. 

Yet, Wilson’s interests remained fixed on music, ultimately swaying his collegiate interests. But his professor’s disinterest in pop resulted in his withdrawal from further academic studies after 18 months. After this experience, he wrote his first original melody, “Surfer Girl,” inspired by Dion and the Belmonts’ take on “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

Instead, Wilson and his brothers opted to forge a group and hone their collective might as harmony singers. Along with their cousin, Mike Love, the foursome emerged as Carl & the Passions. Eventually, Al Jardine found his way into the mix after sharing classes with Wilson at El Camino College, calling themselves the Pendletons at the time. 

The group pooled their money to record demos, resulting in “Surfin’,” a single released via Candix. The song received significant play locally and facilitated the group’s regional ascent.  

Ultimately, the first semblance of success came when the Beach Boys signed a seven-year contract with Capitol Records. The partnership resulted in a hot streak of releases beginning with their chart-topping label debut, Surfin’ Safari, in 1962. The following year, the band’s commercial success skyrocketed with three full-length albums: Surfin’ USA, Surfer Girl, and Little Deuce Coupe–all certified gold, and the latter, platinum. 

The Beach Boys’ Capitol reign continued with surmounting praise and success through the release of 1964’s Shut Down Volume 2, All Summer Long, and The Beach Boys’ Christmas Album, all of which maintained solid gold status. The Beach Boys Today!, Summer Days (And Summer Nights!), Beach Boys Party, and Pet Sounds solidified their musical triumph and widespread popularity. 

Most of the material created during the Beach Boys’ Capitol run was written or co-written by Wilson, including songs that defined the decade. From 1963 to ‘64, the band delivered their greatest hits, No. 1 pop single, “I Get Around,” in addition to Top 10 45s, “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl,” “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “When I Grow Up to Be A Man” and “Dance, Dance, Dance.”

Even across the pond, the Beach Boys’ power was felt by fellow radio frequenters The Beatles, and Paul McCartney has identified Pet Sounds as a source of inspiration for Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

But the challenges of early life seemed to interfere with Wilson’s journey, resulting in early pull-outs of live gigs, a series of mental health challenges, and animosity with his bandmates and family. 

In 1982, the Beach Boys cut ties with Wilson. In turn, he used it as an opportunity to focus on his independent career, delivering a series of solo albums and returning to the live stage. Ultimately, the Beach Boys revived their connection in 2012 in honor of their 50th anniversary after an extensive dormant period. 

Along with his bandmates, brothers, and cousin, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine, Wilson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000. 

Wilson was diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder in 2024. He was survived by his seven children. Wilson is preceded in death by his wife, Melinda.