Brian Wilson, Beach Boys fragile but visionary leader, dead at 82
Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys' visionary and fragile leader whose genius for melody, arrangements and wide-eyed self-expression inspired 'Good Vibrations,' 'California Girls' and other summertime anthems and made him one of the world's most influential recording artists, has died at 82.
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Wilson's family posted news of his death to his website and social media accounts Wednesday. Further details weren't immediately available. Since May 2024, Wilson had been under a court conservatorship to oversee his personal and medical affairs, with Wilson's longtime representatives, publicist Jean Sievers and manager LeeAnn Hard, in charge.
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The eldest and last surviving of three musical brothers — Brian played bass, Carl lead guitar and Dennis drums — he and his fellow Beach Boys rose in the 1960s from local California band to national hitmakers to international ambassadors of surf and sun. Wilson himself was celebrated for his gifts and pitied for his demons. He was one of rock's great Romantics, a tormented man who in his peak years embarked on an ever-steeper path to aural perfection, the one true sound.
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The Beach Boys rank among the most popular groups of the rock era, with more than 30 singles in the Top 40 and worldwide sales of more than 100 million. The 1966 album 'Pet Sounds' was voted No. 2 in a 2003 Rolling Stone list of the best 500 albums, losing out, as Wilson had done before, to the Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.' The Beach Boys, who also featured Wilson cousin Mike Love and childhood friend Al Jardine, were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
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Wilson feuded with Love over songwriting credits, but peers otherwise adored him beyond envy, from Elton John and Bruce Springsteen to Katy Perry and Carole King. The Who's drummer, Keith Moon, fantasized about joining the Beach Boys. Paul McCartney cited 'Pet Sounds' as a direct inspiration on the Beatles and the ballad 'God Only Knows' as among his favorite songs, often bringing him to tears.
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Wilson moved and fascinated fans and musicians long after he stopped having hits. In his later years, Wilson and a devoted entourage of younger musicians performed 'Pet Sounds' and his restored opus, 'Smile,' before worshipful crowds in concert halls. Meanwhile, The Go-Go's, Lindsey Buckingham, Animal Collective and Janelle Monae were among a wide range of artists who emulated him, whether as a master of crafting pop music or as a pioneer of pulling it apart.
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The Beach Boys' music was like an ongoing party, with Wilson as host and wallflower. He was a tall, shy man, partially deaf (allegedly because of beatings by his father, Murry Wilson), with a sweet, crooked grin, and he rarely touched a surfboard unless a photographer was around. But out of the lifestyle that he observed and such musical influences as Chuck Berry and the Four Freshmen, he conjured a golden soundscape — sweet melodies, shining harmonies, vignettes of beaches, cars and girls — that resonated across time and climates.
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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Notable reaction to the death of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson at age 82. ___ 'I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now. My Father ↕brianwilsonlive was every fiber of my body. He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends. I am lucky to have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him that will live on always. I've never felt this kind of pain before, but I know he's resting up there in heaven … or maybe playing the piano for Grandma Audree his Mom. I will post something else soon but this is all my hands will let me type. I love you Daddy….I miss so much you already.' — Wilson's daughter, Carnie Wilson, on Instagram. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Our journey together was filled with moments of brilliance, heartbreak, laughter, complexity and most of all, LOVE . Like all families, we had our ups and downs. But through it all, we never stopped loving each other, and I never stopped being in awe of what he could do when he sat at a piano or his spontaneity in the studio.' — Mike Love, Beach Boy and Wilson cousin, on Instagram. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special. The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while. How we will continue without Brian Wilson, 'God Only Knows.' Thank you, Brian. – Paul.' — Paul McCartney, on Instagram. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I've been listening to him and admiring his genius. Rest in peace dear Brian.' — Bob Dylan, on X. Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I've been listening to him and admiring his genius. Rest in peace dear Brian. — Bob Dylan (@bobdylan) June 11, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Brian Wilson, my friend, my classmate, my football teammate, my Beach Boy bandmate and my brother in spirit, I will always feel blessed that you were in our lives for as long as you were. I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with Carl and Dennis, singing those beautiful harmonies again.' — Beach Boys founding member Al Jardine, in a statement. ___ 'Brian Wilson was always so kind to me from the day I met him. He sang 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight' at a tribute concert in 2003, and it was an extraordinary moment for me. I played on his solo records, he sang on my album, The Union, and even performed for my AIDS Foundation. I grew to love him as a person, and for me, he was the biggest influence on my songwriting ever; he was a musical genius and revolutionary. He changed the goalposts when it came to writing songs and shaped music forever. A true giant.' — Elton John, on Instagram. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Brian Wilson was my friend and my brother in songwriting. We shared a similar sensibility, as evidenced by his 4 over 5 chord under 'Aaaah!' in 'Good Vibrations' and mine under 'I'm Into Something Good.' We once discussed who used it first, and in the end we decided it didn't matter. The world will miss Brian, but we are so lucky to have his music.' — Carole King, on Facebook. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Not only did his songs capture the spirit of youth, joy and longing in ways that still inspire millions of fans around the world, his innovative work in the studio transformed the way musicians record even to this day. Brian made an indelible mark, and our thoughts are with his family in this time of loss.' — Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, in a statement. ___ 'I think 'God Only Knows' that song is like one of the best written songs ever and thank you, Brian, for that. May you rest in peace, we're going to miss you.' — Metallica frontman James Hetfield, in an interview with The Associated Press. ___ 'I know Orbison is the king of emo, but man if there was a human being who made art out of inexpressible sadness …. damn it was Brian Wilson.' — Questlove, on Instagram. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'The maestro has passed — the man was an open heart with two legs — with an ear that heard the angels. Quite literally. Love and Mercy for you and yours tonight. RIP Brian.' — John Cusack, who played Wilson in the 2014 biopic 'Love & Mercy,' on X. The maestro has passed - the man was a open heart with two legs - with an ear that heard the angels. Quite literally. Love and Mercy for you and yours tonight . RIP Brian. Brian wrote down the lyrics of love and mercy for me - — John Cusack (@johncusack) June 11, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Rest in Peace!' — Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, on Instagram. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Oh no Brian Wilson and Sly Stone in one week – my world is in mourning. so sad.' — Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, on X. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson's genius magical touch !! And greatly saddened of this major worldly loss!! My thoughts go out to his family and friends.' — Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood, on X. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'First Sly, now Brian … this is really just …' — Maggie Rogers wrote on her Instagram Story, adding a heartbreak emoji. ___ 'God bless Brian, peace and love to all the family, peace and love Ringo and Barbara.' — Ringo Starr, on X. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Anyone who really knows me knows how heart broken I am about Brian Wilson passing. Not many people influenced me as much as he did. I feel very lucky that I was able to meet him and spend some time with him. He was always very kind and generous. He was our American Mozart. A one of a kind genius from another world.' — Sean Ono Lennon, on X. Anyone who really knows me knows how heart broken I am about Brian Wilson passing. Not many people influenced me as much as he did. I feel very lucky that I was able to meet him and spend some time with him. He was always very kind and generous. He was our American Mozart. A one… — Seán Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) June 11, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'SO very sad to hear that our dear friend, inspiration and mentor for decades has passed away. Rest In Peace BRIAN WILSON…with love, Dewey & Gerry' — Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, the only remaining founding members of the band America, on Instagram. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'His cherished music will live forever as he travels through the Universe and beyond. God bless you, sweet Brian. One of the biggest thrills of my life was singing 'California Girls' with Brian.' — Nancy Sinatra, on Instagram. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'To me, Brian Wilson was not merely about surf music, rather a true musical genius toiling away at melding POP into startling sophistication. He will he be missed mightily. xx jc' _ John Cale, Velvet Underground musician and producer, on X. To me, Brian Wilson was not merely about surf music, rather a true musical genius toiling away at melding POP into startling sophistication. He will he be missed mightily. xx jc — John Cale (@therealjohncale) June 11, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Brian Wilson was a musical and spiritual giant. His melodies shaped generations, & his soul resonated in every note. I was fortunate to know him; we all were blessed by his genius. Rest peacefully, Brian.' — Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, on X. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'We lost one of the greatest composers and messengers who took jazz harmony, put it to a Chuck Berry beat and made a new genre of music. Some of the best singles in the world. Dennis, Carl and Brian are all together now. Other worlds to sing in.' — Randy Bachman, co-founder of Bachman-Turner Overdrive, on X. Oh say goodbye to Brian Wilson. I've know the Beach boys since the mid 60's and have done lots of shows with them. They were the American answer to the Beatles. They wowed everyone with the songs, structures, vocals harmonies. The sunshine sound. I remember when Brian… — Randy Bachman (@RandysVinylTap) June 11, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Sadly, Brian Wilson has passed away. Songwriter, visionary. Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful melodies that spanned decades. I'm going to spend the day listening to the Beach Boys and reminiscing.' — Gene Simmons, Kiss co-founder, on X. Sadly, Brian Wilson has passed away. Songwriter, visionary. Thank you for a lifetime of wonderful melodies that spanned decades. I'm going to spend the day listening to the Beach Boys and reminiscing. — Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) June 11, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Brian Wilson Has Died. 'Genius' is a term used too often and too loosely. 'Tortured Genius' even more so. Brian's astonishing output of musical brilliance will bring joy while it influences generations to come. Thank you Brian and Rest In Peace.' – Paul Stanley, Kiss co-founder, on X. Brian Wilson Has Died. "Genius" is a term used too often and too loosely. "Tortured Genius" even more so. Brian's astonishing output of musical brilliance will bring joy while it influences generations to come. Thank you Brian and Rest In Peace. — Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) June 11, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'His falsetto voice And iconic vocal blend were the sound of our generation One of the Greatest Songwriters of our time 'God Only Knows' is a classic that has influenced us all! Surfing, cars and chicks! Thanks for the music, Brian !' — David Paich, top session keyboardist and founding member of Toto, on Instagram. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ___ 'Words can't express what Brian Wilson meant to me as a songwriter. I was so fortunate to call him a friend. He was a genuine hero who taught me everything I know about music. Rest in peace, my friend.' — Christopher Cross, on X. Words can't express what Brian Wilson meant to me as a songwriter. I was so fortunate to call him a friend. He was a genuine hero who taught me everything I know about music. Rest in peace, my friend. ❤️ — Christopher Cross (@itsMrCross) June 11, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances! Canada Celebrity World World Sunshine Girls
