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LOS ANGELES: Beach Boys cofounder Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind iconic tracks like "Good Vibrations" and "God Only Knows," has died at the age of 82, his family announced on Wednesday (Jun 11).
Wilson’s death was confirmed in a statement on his official website, which read: “We are at a loss for words right now. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.” The cause of death was not disclosed, though Wilson had suffered from dementia and was placed under conservatorship after the death of his wife, Melinda, in early 2024.
A LEGACY OF HARMONY AND HEARTBREAK
From 1961, the Beach Boys released a string of hits that celebrated the lifestyle of California youth — surfing, cars and summer romance. Wilson, the band’s primary creative force, was responsible for arranging the group’s ethereal harmonies, a hallmark of their sound.
He founded the band in Hawthorne, California, with his brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. Together, they achieved 36 Top 40 hits, with Wilson writing and composing most of the early tracks.
Their discography includes timeless songs such as "Surfin’ U.S.A.", "California Girls", "Little Deuce Coupe", "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "Help Me, Rhonda".
But Wilson’s personal life was fraught with hardship. He endured an abusive father, severe mental health issues, and substance abuse problems that led to long periods of seclusion.
“I’ve lived a very, very difficult, haunted life,” Wilson told the Washington Post in 2007.
CREATIVE PEAK AND INTERNAL STRUGGLES
Wilson suffered his first mental breakdown in 1966 and began focusing more on studio work. During this time, he composed and produced "Pet Sounds", a record that later became known as his magnum opus.
Although initially met with mixed reactions in the United States, "Pet Sounds" has since been recognised as one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Paul McCartney cited it as a major influence on the Beatles’ "Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band".
Wilson also composed "Good Vibrations" during the "Pet Sounds" sessions. Though it was not included in the album, it became the Beach Boys’ most celebrated single. Art Garfunkel reportedly called Paul Simon to say, “I think I just heard the greatest, most creative record of them all.”
Brian Wilson performs with the Beach Boys on ABC’s Good Morning America in New York’s Central Park on Jun 15, 2012. (Photo: Reuters/Lucas Jackson)
DECLINE AND UNUSUAL THERAPY
Wilson’s mental health continued to deteriorate in the 1970s and 1980s. He was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder with auditory hallucinations. He became increasingly reclusive, with accounts describing him lying in bed for days, struggling with hygiene, and exhibiting erratic behaviour.
His then-wife Marilyn enlisted psychotherapist Eugene Landy, whose unorthodox and highly controlling methods eventually led to legal intervention. Wilson's family took him to court in 1992 to end the relationship. Landy relinquished his psychology licence after admitting to unlawfully prescribing drugs.
Wilson said Landy had saved his life but later called him manipulative.
LATE RECOGNITION AND FINAL YEARS
Wilson returned to music sporadically, with his post-comeback work rarely matching the acclaim of his early career. In 2004, he released "Brian Wilson Presents Smile", a long-delayed project that had originally been scrapped due to internal band conflicts.
In 2012, Wilson reunited with surviving Beach Boys members for a 50th anniversary tour. Although tensions remained, Wilson participated in several shows before reportedly being dismissed, a claim denied by Mike Love.
His final live performance was in 2022.
Wilson’s life was portrayed in the 2014 biopic "Love & Mercy". He had two daughters, Carnie and Wendy, from his first marriage to Marilyn. The daughters later found success in the 1990s with the pop group Wilson Phillips. He and his second wife Melinda adopted five children.
In May 2024, a judge approved placing Wilson under conservatorship, citing his inability to care for himself following Melinda’s death. Despite his struggles, Wilson’s contribution to music remains indelible, and his work continues to influence artists across generations.
