Brian Wilson | Source: Getty Images

Brian Wilson, Beach Boys Co-Founder and Icon, Dead at 82

Jun 12, 2025 - 11:02 A.M.

Brian Wilson, the musical visionary behind the Beach Boys and one of the most influential figures in American pop music, has died at the age of 82, his family announced.

The Beach Boys co-founder, Brian Wilson, has died at 82. His children confirmed the news on Monday, June 9, 2025, through a statement on Instagram.

His children began by saying they were "at a loss for words." They then requested for fans to respect them as they mourned the loss of their father.

"Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world," the statement read.

Wilson had been diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia in 2024, just weeks after the death of his longtime wife, Melinda Ledbetter Wilson.

As the Beach Boys' principal songwriter and co-lead vocalist, Wilson was widely regarded as the creative force behind the band's signature harmonies and groundbreaking studio experimentation. He formed the Beach Boys in Hawthorne, California, in 1961 alongside his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine.

Originally performing under the name The Pendletones, the group burst onto the scene with the single "Surfin'" that same year, co-written by Wilson and Love. The Beach Boys soon became synonymous with the surf rock genre, delivering a string of hits throughout the 1960s with albums like "Surfin' Safari," "Surfin' U.S.A.," and "Surfer Girl."

Wilson's songwriting reached new creative heights with the 1966 album "Pet Sounds," which has been consistently ranked among the greatest albums of all time. The album's standout track, "God Only Knows," was famously hailed by Paul McCartney as "the greatest song ever written."

While Wilson's contributions to music earned him widespread acclaim, he also faced well-documented struggles with mental health and substance abuse over the years. Despite these challenges, his influence on modern pop and rock music remained undeniable.