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The Beach Boys Legend Brian Wilson Passes Away, Aged 82

Mary Varvaris

"Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys—he was the soul of our sound."

Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson(Source: Supplied)
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Brian Wilson, the driving force and musical mastermind behind The Beach Boys, has passed away at the age of 82.

His family shared the devastating news on social media. In the statement, the Wilson family didn’t reveal a cause of death. News of his passing comes over a year after the singer, songwriter and producer was diagnosed with dementia and subsequently placed under a conservatorship run by his longtime representatives, LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers.

β€œWe are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” the statement posted by his family on Instagram overnight (11 June) reads.

β€œWe 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.”

In another statement, The Beach Boys wrote, β€œThe world mourns a genius today, and we grieve for the loss of our cousin, our friend, and our partner in a great musical adventure. Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boysβ€”he was the soul of our sound. The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever.

β€œHis unparalleled talent and unique spirit created the soundtrack of so many lives around the globe, including our own. Together, we gave the world the American dream of optimism, joy, and a sense of freedomβ€”music that made people feel good, made them believe in summer and endless possibilities.”

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They continued, β€œWe are heartbroken by his passing. We will continue to cherish the timeless music we made together and the joy he brought to millions over the decades. And while we will miss him deeply, his legacy will live on through his songs and in our memories.

β€œOur hearts go out to Brian’s family and his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Brian Wilson is one of the most celebrated, prolific and important musicians of all time. He wrote over three dozen Top 40 hits: he wrote, arranged, and produced much of his music.

Recognised for hits such as Good Vibrations, Surf City, God Only Knows, and many more, Wilson was given near-unchecked control by Capitol Records at the height of The Beach Boys’ success.

From the 1970s onwards, Eugene Landy was Brian Wilson’s psychologist after the performer struggled with drug abuse and mental health issues. However, over the decades, Landy became Wilson’s β€œcarer” who stole from him and steered his career as a manager and producer. Brian’s first solo album in 1988 had Landy unfairly credited as a songwriter and producer, which was later overturned.

While his therapy enabled Brian to re-emerge into the world after his mental health issues in the 80s, Landy’s behaviour towards him was nothing short of abuse, with Brian eventually being rescued from his β€œcare” after meeting his wife, Melinda. Wilson disassociated with Landy in 1991 and, from 1999 to 2022, toured as a solo artist.

Since news of Wilson's passing was shared on social media, tributes from Elton John, Mick Fleetwood, Carole King, and many more have poured in. You can read them below.