Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson dies, aged 82

11 June 2025, 17:52 | Updated: 11 June 2025, 17:59

Brian Wilson was the songwriting genius at the heart of the Beach Boys.

Beach Boys icon Brian Wilson has died at the age of 82.

The singer, musician, producer and songwriter was the genius behind most of the Beach Boys greatest songs.

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An official statement from his children on his social media read: "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."

His wife of 29 years Melinda, who he called his "saviour" and credited with turning his life around and re-sparking his musical career, died in January 2024.

Born on June 20, 1942, Brian was the eldest child of Audree and Murry Wilson.

A precocious musical talent from a young age, Brian was a founding member of The Beach Boys alongside his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and close friend Al Jardine.

Brian was the primary songwriter in the group, though after a mental breakdown in 1964 he only intermittently performed live with the group.

Even when he was away from the road, Brian remained the key creative force in the group.

The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations (Official Music Video)

Apart from the first two Beach Boys albums that were helmed by Nick Venet, it was Wilson who acted as producer for all the band's best-known records.

As well as their early run of teen and surf-inspired hits, the projects headed by Wilson included 1966's masterpiece Pet Sounds and the following 'Good Vibrations' single.

However, Wilson's mental health issues continued, and he was forced to abandon his ambitious SMiLE project soon after.

Over the years he flitted in and out of the band as his relationships with his bandmates had their ups and downs.

He became a recluse and had a contentious medical, business and creative relationship with psychologist Eugene Landy.

Brian had married his childhood sweetheart Marilyn Rovell in 1964, but their marriage struggled under the weight of his continued mental health issues and they eventually divorced in 1979.

Brian Wilson & Al Jardine - Wouldn’t It Be Nice

After Wilson was eventually extricated from his relationship with Landy, he married former model and car salesperson Melinda Ledbetter.

In the 1990s Brian enjoyed a full career renaissance.

As well as increasing appreciation of his past work, Brian released a string of solo albums, including Brian Wilson Presents Smile, which effectively "completed" his long-abandoned project.

He also performed around the world, including at the Glastonbury Festival in 2005.

Brian also rejoined The Beach Boys for a 50th anniversary tour and album That's Why God Made The Radio in 2012.

He continued to tour, backed by The Wondermints and until July 26, 2022, where after a show in Michigan he cancelled his remaining tour dates and seemingly retired from live performance.

The Beach Boys - That's Why God Made The Radio

Soon after his wife Melinda died in early 2024, it emerged that Wilson was suffering from dementia, and that his family was entering him into another conservatorship to manage his affairs.

Wilson and Marilyn had two daughters, Carnie and Wendy, who still perform as two-thirds of Wilson Phillips alongside and Chynna Phillips, the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & The Papas.

Brian and Melinda also adopted five children together.