The creative force behind The Beach Boys and a recording pioneer, Brian Wilson, has died at the age of 82 according to his family.
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"We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now," shares a post on Instagram. "We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world."
In early 2024, it was revealed that Wilson was living with a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia. On July 26, 2022, Wilson played his final concert as part of a joint tour with Chicago. He later cancelled his remaining tour dates for that year, with his management citing "unforeseen health reasons."
Wilson formed the Beach Boys with his brothers Dennis and Carl, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. The band quickly gained popularity with hits like “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” which reached the Top 10 in 1962. By 1963, the Beach Boys had released three albums and Wilson began producing for other artists. In 1964, Wilson stopped touring with the band due to a panic attack brought on by their demanding schedule. This allowed him to focus on studio production. In 1965, he began work on Pet Sounds, a masterpiece album that pushed the bounderies of Pop music and production. In 2004, it was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.
The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and Wilson won two GRAMMY Awards. The band received a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.