Brian Wilson's complex relationship with his daughters resurfaces after death
Brian Wilson's complex relationship with his daughters has resurfaced after his death.
The Beach Boys icon's passing aged 82 following a long dementia battle was announced on Wednesday (11.06.25) at the age of 82, and he had daughters Carnie Wilson, 57, and Wendy Wilson, 55, with his first wife Marilyn Wilson, a singer with 1960s girl group The Honeys.
Carnie and Wendy's parents divorced in 1979 after a turbulent marriage marked by Brian's struggles with substance abuse and mental health, including a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder.
The breakdown of the relationship led to years of estrangement between the musician and his daughters, with limited contact during their formative years.
Brian remarried in 1995, wedding Melinda Ledbetter.
Together they adopted five children – Dakota Rose, Daria Rose, Delanie Rose, Dylan and Dash.
While his younger children remained out of the public spotlight, Carnie and Wendy went on to form the pop trio Wilson Phillips in 1989 alongside Chynna Phillips, daughter of John and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas.
The group achieved rapid commercial success in the early 1990s with hits including Hold On, Release Me and You're in Love.
Despite their fame, Carnie and Wendy's personal relationship with their father remained strained.
In a 1992 interview with the Los Angeles Times quoted by the Daily Mail, Carnie said: 'We can't call him up and we can't see him. I guess we could, but we're so afraid of each other. I don't know what I would say to him.'
That same year, the sisters addressed their estrangement through a track titled Flesh and Blood, featured on Wilson Phillips' second album Shadows and Light.
The song was written as an emotional outreach to their father.
Their lyrics included the lines: 'If you never plan to come out of your shell / You're never gonna get well… For years I've been following your case / It's the only time I see your face.'
Carnie also told the Los Angeles Times she was unsure how Brian would respond to the tune: 'He's either going to cry real hard, or else just stare at something and get (mad.)'
A reconciliation between Brian and his daughters began in 1994, when the family reunited after years of minimal contact.
Speaking to People at the time, Carnie said: 'Wendy and I are doing demo tapes for our debut album as a duo, and I hope Daddy will provide background harmonies. I know that one day we'll all work together.'
The connection strengthened in later years, particularly through music.
Carnie also told UsWeekly in 2024 Brian had become one of Wilson Phillips' biggest supporters.
She said: 'He also loves Wilson Phillips. He really does.
'He's always asking me, 'How's Wilson Phillips?' I go, 'We're great, Dad.' He's funny. He's very proud.'
Even after being diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia, Brian continued to share musical moments with his daughters.
Carnie told UsWeekly: 'We love to sing Surfer Girl and In My Room.
'Sometimes a little California Girls, (which is) his favourite, and sometimes we do Be My Baby.'
Though the Wilson sisters largely avoided trading on their famous surname early in their career, their eventual musical collaborations with their father marked a shift.
Carnie said of their family connections in the Los Angeles Times: 'We didn't want people to think that they were (the reasons for) our success. Because they weren't.'
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7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
From Metallica to McCartney: Which tribute to Brian Wilson truly captured his impact?
Metallica's James Hetfield, Elton John, Carole King, Sting and Paul McCartney are among the music luminaries to pay tribute to the late Brian Wilson. As tributes continue to flow in, who truly captured the impact of the Beach Boys linchpin? In an interview with The Associated Press, Metallica frontman James Hetfield said: '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.' On Wednesday, Wilson's family confirmed his death in a statement to Instagram. 'We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now,' they wrote. 'Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realise that we are sharing our grief with the world.' Loading Instagram Post Among the outpourings of grief from the music and entertainment industries has been multiple onstage tributes from acts like Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong and The Police frontman Sting. 'Today, one of my heroes died,' Sting said during a concert in Germany just hours after the announcement of Wilson's passing. 'I want to sing a song that I love,' The Police frontman said before playing an acoustic rendition of the Beach Boys' God Only Knows. Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong paid tribute to Brian Wilson by releasing a previously unreleased punk-leaning cover of I Get Around, calling it 'one of my all-time favourite songs ever'. He revealed the track had been shelved for years, sharing it on Instagram with a message of thanks. The cover reimagines the 1964 Beach Boys hit with a gritty guitar riff and a faster tempo, honouring Wilson's legacy through a modern punk lens. Paul McCartney took to Instagram, calling Wilson a 'musical genius'. '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.' Beach Boy and Wilson's cousin Mike Love, who co-founded the band in 1961 with Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson and their friend Al Jardine, has also paid tribute. In a lengthy post on Instagram, he said: 'I'll miss you forever.' 'Brian, you once asked, 'Wouldn't it be nice if we were older?' Now you are timeless,' Love wrote in the post. 'May you rest in the peace you so deeply deserve, surrounded by the heavenly music you helped create. May your spirit soar as high as your falsetto, may your wings spread in effortless flight. 'Thank you for the harmonies, the memories, and the love. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal. 'I'll miss you forever, my beloved cousin.' Bruce Springsteen's post across his social media dubbed Wilson 'the most musically inventive voice in all of pop, with an otherworldly ear for harmony'. 'He was also the visionary leader of America's greatest band, the Beach Boys. If there'd been no Beach Boys, there would have been no Racing In The Street. Listen to Summer's Gone from the Beach Boys' last album That's Why God Made The Radio and weep. Farewell, Maestro. Nothing but love and a lovely lasting debt from all of us over here on E Street.' Elton John's tribute named Wilson the 'biggest influence' on his songwriting. '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,' John wrote. '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.' Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood wrote on X/Twitter: '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.' Meanwhile, Carole King took to Facebook to share that Wilson was her 'brother in songwriting'. '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.' John Lennon's son, the genre-blurring musician, producer and avant-garde artist Sean Ono Lennon, wrote his tribute on X/Twitter. 'Anyone who really knows me knows how heartbroken 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.' Meanwhile, Bob Dylan called him a 'genius' on X/Twitter: '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.' Kiss co-founder Paul Stanley said Wilson's work will influence generations to come. '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.' Grammy-winning musician, producer, author, filmmaker and cultural commentator Questlove used his tribute to honour Wilson's secret power in songwriting. '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. 'I hate he went through what he went through to create Pet Sounds (also: Smile outtakes in my North Star) but man — without him I dunno how so many that came after felt safe to express a feeling of sadness that most humans would be otherwise ridiculed or punished for.' From music's hallowed icons to Wilson's longtime familial collaborators, each tribute adds a stitch in the enduring tapestry of one of the greatest songwriters of all time. However, in this journalist's opinion, the most accurate portrayal of Wilson's impact is made clear in a post by his daughter, Carnie Wilson. The 57-year-old wrote on Instagram that he was 'every fibre' of her body. 'I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now. My father @brianwilsonlive was every fibre 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 mum. I will post something else soon but this is all my hands will let me type. I love you Daddy … I miss you so much already.'
News.com.au
8 hours ago
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Bruce Springsteen pays tribute to ‘visionary leader' Brian Wilson
On Wednesday, family members announced that the co-founder of the Beach Boys had died at the age of 82. A cause of death wasn't announced, though Brian had been diagnosed with dementia in February 2024. Following the sad news, Bruce took to Instagram on Thursday to issue an emotional statement. 'Brian Wilson was the most musically inventive voice in all of pop, with an otherworldly ear for harmony. He was also the visionary leader of America's greatest band, The Beach Boys. If there'd been no Beach Boys, there would have been no Racing In The Street.'
Perth Now
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Brian Wilson 'went silent' and 'became detached' after battling COVID-19
Brian Wilson "went silent" and "became detached" as he battled the long-term effects of COVID-19, according to his bandmate Al Jardine. The Beach Boys legend passed away on Wednesday (11.06.25) at the age of 82 after a long battle with health issues and his close friend Al has now opened up about the "turning point" back in 2022 when he saw the singer/songwriter begin to deteriorate. Al told Variety: "There was no trauma to speak of until that very last tour in '22. He kind of went silent and began to suffer the effects of long-term COVID, I was told, so I think that was a turning point for him. He became detached." Brian also suffered mobility issues after undergoing several operations on his back and Al thinks being unable to move around properly affected his pal's mental health. He explained: "His infirmity must have been really depressing, not being able to walk again." However, Al is convinced Brian enjoyed his final tour despite his struggles before finally stepping out of the spotlight. He added: "He was with his adoptive family, and we all loved him, and he knew it, and he savored every moment. "Until he got on stage. And then he might decide: 'Well, I'm just gonna let them do it.' Who knows what was going through his mind, but he would check out on that last tour. "And that was hard work for him; he was fragile and tired and exhausted from probably that long-term COVID thing ... So, he became, on stage, not the entertainer that everyone thought they were coming to see." Brian's family confirmed the late star's passing earlier this week by posting a message on his official Instagram page. It read: "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. Love and Mercy." The Beach Boys added in a statement: "The 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 Boys—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. His 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 freedom—music that made people feel good, made them believe in summer and endless possibilities. "We 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. Our hearts go out to Brian's family and his loved ones during this difficult time."
