Brian Wilson, Beach Boys Co-Founder, Dies at 82

We’re heartbroken to share the news of Brian Wilson’s death at age 82. As the co-founder of the Beach Boys and the mastermind behind their most iconic music, Wilson didn’t just help define an era. He transformed the sound of American pop forever. 

Though we knew he had been facing serious health issues in recent years, the loss of this musical genius still stings. We’re not just saying goodbye to a musician; we’re saying goodbye to a true innovator. 

We’ll try not to focus on the headlines that read ‘Beach Boy Founder Dies,’ but, rather, remember his remarkable imprint on the music industry.

Iconic Beach Boys Member Brian Wilson Dies at 82

Born in Inglewood, California, Brian Wilson formed what would become the Beach Boys in his teens with his brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. 

The group originally went by the Pendletones, but their name was changed (without their consent) by a small record label when they released their debut track, “Surfin’.”

Things moved quickly from there. The band hit the big time in 1963 with “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” which cracked the U.S. Top 10 and launched them into the national spotlight. 

The same year, they dropped Surfin’ U.S.A., Surfer Girl, and Little Deuce Coupe – a trio of albums that captured the sun-soaked essence of their California youth. 

Brian Wilson, in his early twenties, was already producing music not just for the band, but also for other artists, too, including Jan and Dean and Sharon Marie.

Brian Steps Back from Touring and Leans Into the Studio

In 1964, a panic attack forced Wilson to step away from touring with the band. Rather than retreat entirely, he went all in on songwriting and studio work, which turned out to be a blessing for music history. 

It was during this period that Wilson began experimenting with layered sounds, orchestration, and studio effects that would become the foundation of his masterpiece. By 1965, he was deep into crafting Pet Sounds, the album that would ultimately cement his legacy. 

Working with top-tier studio musicians known as the Wrecking Crew, Wilson created what many now consider one of the greatest albums of all time. Though it wasn’t a massive hit upon release, Pet Sounds later earned a place in the National Recording Registry and influenced everyone from The Beatles to Radiohead.

The Smile That Never Was

Wilson intended to follow Pet Sounds with an even more ambitious project: Smile. He called it a “teenage symphony to God,” and it had all the hallmarks of something transcendent. But, delays, creative struggles, and mounting pressure led to the album being shelved in 1967.

That same year, Wilson began retreating from the spotlight, and his mental health took a toll. He was briefly hospitalized in 1968 and, throughout the 1970s, he battled substance abuse and personal instability, even opening a health food store called the Radiant Radish for a time. Despite everything, he still worked with the Beach Boys off and on.

Controversy, Recovery, and Solo Success

By the 1980s, Wilson’s condition worsened, and his family staged an intervention. That led to his controversial relationship with psychologist Eugene Landy, who took an aggressive (and, many say, exploitative) role in Wilson’s treatment. The story was later dramatized in the acclaimed film Love & Mercy.

Wilson eventually broke free from Landy’s control and launched a solo career, releasing his debut solo album in 1988, the same year the Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 

He revisited Smile in the 2000s, finally completing the long-lost project with new collaborators. Brian Wilson Presents Smile arrived in 2004 to critical acclaim, proving the power of his original vision.

The Later Years and Lasting Legacy

In the last two decades of his life, Wilson continued creating music, sharing previously unreleased tracks, and even working with artists like Kacey Musgraves and Zooey Deschanel on the 2015 album No Pier Pressure. He also penned a memoir and kept performing until health issues slowed him down.

In 2024, Wilson’s family revealed that he had been living with a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia. Even as his public appearances became more rare, fans continued to celebrate his towering influence on pop music and the genre-blending innovation that helped shape generations. No doubt, the Brian Wilson obituary will remark on his cultural influence upon the lives of millions of people all over the world. 

Mourning Brian Wilson’s Death

Brian Wilson’s death marks the end of an era, but his music will continue to echo through every harmony-laden pop song, every ambitious studio experiment, and every sun-drenched summer playlist. As the Pet Sounds creator, Beach Boys founder, and true California sound pioneer, Wilson redefined what pop music could be.

Brian Wilson, 82, leaves behind a legacy of brilliance and complexity, an artist who soared to incredible creative heights while battling deep personal struggles. Rest in peace, Brian. And thank you for creating the kind of music that will carry on forever.