Latest news with #Surfin'U.S.A
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Rest in peace to the greatest': Co-founder of iconic ‘60s band dies at 82
Brian Wilson — a co-founder of the iconic rock band The Beach Boys — has died. He was 82 years old. Wilson's death was announced by his family via the musician's official Instagram on Wednesday, June 11. 'We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now,' the family wrote. 'Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.' A cause of death was not revealed. Read More: Rock icon with dementia now under conservatorship months after wife's death The post was flooded with empathetic comments from fans and fellow musicians alike. 'Favourite producer & composer of all time. Pushed the boundaries further than anyone had before,' electronic duo Disclosure commented. 'Lost for words. We love you Brian. Rest in peace to the greatest.' Born on June 20, 1942 in Inglewood, California, Wilson formed The Beach Boys in 1961 with his two younger brothers — Dennis and Carl — alongside cousin Mike Love and school friend Alan Jardine. Read More: Legendary musician planning to tour with former bandmate's group Serving as the group's primary songwriter, Wilson penned dozens of The Beach Boys' biggest hits such as 'Surfin' U.S.A.' 'God Only Knows,' 'I Get Around,' 'Help Me, Rhonda' and 'Good Vibrations.' His efforts — along with the rest of the band — helped the Beach Boys revolutionize the 'California sound' of the 1960s, sell more than 100 million records worldwide and have 37 songs reach the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 — the most by any American band — with four reaching No. 1. The Beach Boys were ranked 12th on Rolling Stone's list of the greatest artists of all time while the band's founding members were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Outside the Beach Boys, Wilson wrote hit songs for other artists (including Jan and Dean's 1963 single 'Surf City') and released 12 solo albums. Rolling Stone reported last year that Wilson's forthcoming country album, which had been locked away since 1970s, would be released 'at some point in 2025.' Read More: Beach Boys member's country album locked away since 1970s to be released The music legend struggled with dementia toward the end of his life, according to his family who placed Wilson in a conservatorship last May, People reported. Wilson's family filed for a conservatorship in February 2024, shortly after Wilson's wife, Melinda Ledbetter Wilson, died at 77 in January. Wilson struggled with drug abuse and a number of mental health issues, including auditory hallucinations, throughout his life and career. He stopped touring with the Beach Boys in the late 1960s (returning only briefly in the 1970s and 2010s) and was later diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Wilson toured with on his own and with various bands in recent years. His final concert was at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan, on July 26, 2022. Music superstar hilariously reacts to bra thrown at him during Mass. show Popular folk rock band's frontman abruptly walks off stage mid-song Australian singer, rapper The Kid LAROI to headline The Big E Arena this fall Country singer involved in pedestrian crash that killed 77-year-old woman Doechii calls out Trump's 'ruthless attacks' to stop Los Angeles protests Read the original article on MassLive.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
John Stamos shares emotional tribute following death of Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson
John Stamos has shared an emotional tribute following the death of Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson, who passed away at the age of 82. In an Instagram post, the Full House actor wrote: 'Brian Wilson didn't just soundtrack my life… he filled it with color, with wonder, with some of the most unforgettable, emotional, joyful moments I've ever known.' Reflecting on their decades-long friendship, Stamos added, 'It's hard to put into words what it meant to stand beside him, laugh with him, play his music with him. Brian wasn't just a musical genius, he was a gentle, soulful, funny, complex, beautiful man. He heard things no one else could hear. He felt things deeper than most of us ever will.' Stamos's collaboration with the Beach Boys began in the early 1980s, when he was invited to play drums during a live performance of 'Barbara Ann' while still a rising soap star. Their musical relationship continued into his Full House years, and he's now considered an honorary member of the group, often performing live on stage. Wilson's death follows years of health struggles, including auditory hallucinations, deafness, multiple back surgeries, and a dementia diagnosis in 2024. He was just days away from his 83rd birthday. The Beach Boys icon co-founded the California band in 1961 and was the creative force behind hits like 'Good Vibrations,' 'Wouldn't It Be Nice,' and 'Surfin' U.S.A.' Concluding his tribute, Stamos wrote: 'Rest easy, Brian. Thank you for the music. Thank you for the moments. I'll carry them with me—forever. Love, Stamos.' Wilson's family announced his passing on June 11 via social media, saying they were 'heartbroken' and 'at a loss for words.'
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Brian Wilson's daughter pays tribute to late Beach Boys co-founder father
Brian Wilson's daughter has paid tribute to her late dad, admitting she feels "lucky" to have shared a "soul connection with him that will live on always". Carnie Wilson has "never felt this kind of pain before" after her late The Beach Boys co-founder father passed away on Wednesday (11.06.25), following a battle with dementia, but she likes to think Brian is now playing piano in heaven for his mother. She wrote on Instagram: "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. (sic)" Carnie admitted her Instagram post was "all [her] hands will let [her] type" just hours after her dad's death, and she is planning a lengthier tribute to her father in the near future. She added: "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." Brian was best known for co-founding The Beach Boys in the early 1960s. His family confirmed the late star's passing by posting 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." Brian - who was married to the late Melinda Ledbetter and had five adopted children with her, as well as Carnie, 57, and 55-year-old Wendy with his first wife Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford - formed The Beach Boys along with his brothers Carl and Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. The group enjoyed their first huge hit with 1963 tune Surfin' U.S.A, and they went on to have massive success with other tracks, including I Get Around, Good Vibrations and California Girls. Brian also dropped 11 solo studio albums, the last of which, At My Piano, was released in 2021.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Al Jardine Pays Tribute to Beach Boys Bandmate Brian Wilson: ‘My Brother in Spirit'
Al Jardine, co-founder of the Beach Boys, paid tribute to his bandmate Brian Wilson, who died at age 82. '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,' Jardine said in a statement to Rolling Stone. 'I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with [Wilson's brothers and bandmates] Carl and Dennis, singing those beautiful harmonies again. You were a humble giant who always made me laugh and we will celebrate your music forever. Brian, I'll really miss you…still I have the warmth of the sun within me tonight.' More from Rolling Stone Elton John Calls Late Brian Wilson 'The Biggest Influence on My Songwriting' Elton John, Carole King, More Remember Brian Wilson: 'His Cherished Music Will Live Forever' Beach Boys' Former Manager on Brian Wilson: 'The Three Wilsons Are Finally Back Together' In 1961, Brian, Dennis, and Carl formed a band with their cousin Mike Love and friend Jardine. The group signed to Capitol Records and named themselves Beach Boys, releasing hits like 'Surfin' U.S.A.' (with music borrowed from Chuck Berry's 'Sweet Little Sixteen'), 'Surfer Girl,' 'Be True to Your School,' and 'Fun, Fun, Fun.' In 1966, fueled by Brian's ambitious songwriting, the band released the album Pet Sounds, which regularly ranks at or near the top of the best albums ever made (Rolling Stone named it Number Two in its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time). In March, Jardine announced that he would be relaunching Brian's backing group, who have been inactive since Wilson stopped performing in 2022, as the Pet Sounds Band. '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,' the band wrote in a statement. '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,' the group continued. '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.' Wilson, along with the Beach Boys, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Upon his entry into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000, Paul McCartney — who delivered the induction speech — called Wilson 'one of the great American geniuses,' and thanked him 'sir, for making me cry.' Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
How ‘Beach Boys' co-founder Brian Wilson, the original boy of summer, transformed music as we know it
I'm picking up sad vibrations. Brian Wilson — who co-founded the Beach Boys and was the main architect of their sound — is now surfing the heavens after his death was announced by his family on Wednesday. The genius of the group he formed with his brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love and their friend Al Jardine in 1961, Wilson was one of the true visionaries of music who defined pop as we know it today. Advertisement 6 'That ear — I mean, Jesus, he's got to will that to the Smithsonian,' Bob Dylan once said of Brian Wilson. AP From 1963's 'Surfin' U.S.A.' to 1964's 'I Get Around' to 1966's 'Good Vibrations,' Wilson defined not only the California sound but the sound of sunshine, the sound of summer, the sound of dreams. Inside of his musical mind there seemed to be a world of endless possibility that the rest of us could never have imagined as he explored sonic frontiers with his inventive production techniques, ingenious orchestrations and lush, layered harmonies. Advertisement While Love was the frontman of the Beach Boys, Wilson was the Man. 'That ear — I mean, Jesus, he's got to will that to the Smithsonian,' the Bard himself, Bob Dylan, once said. 6 Brian Wilson (top center) formed the Beach Boys with Mike Love, Al Jardine, Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson in 1961. Getty Images In many ways, the Beach Boys were The Beatles of American music — even if they haven't always gotten the same revered respect. Advertisement 'Me and Mike were a little bit jealous of The Beatles because they took over the whole music scene,' Wilson told USA Today about the battle between the bands in 2021. But just as 'Beatlesque' will forever be a descriptive adjective in music vernacular, 'Beach Boyish' should be too. 6 'I wanted to write joyful music that would make other people feel good,' said Brian Wilson when the Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. AP While Motown was said to have captured the 'sound of young America' in the '60s, so too did Wilson and the Beach Boys. Advertisement Although the adolescent appeal of songs such as 'Fun, Fun, Fun' and 'California Girls' had a sunny simplicity, it belied the depth of artistry underneath the surface. The Beach Boys made it sound so easy, but this wasn't shallow stuff. With the Beach Boys' 1966 masterpiece 'Pet Sounds,' though, Wilson had his finest moment that has locked down its place as one of the greatest albums of all time. It was their 'Sgt. Pepper,' The Beatles' 1967 classic that it influenced. 6 The Beach Boys hit No. 1 with 'I Get Around,' 'Help Me, Rhonda' and 'Good Vibrations' in the '60s. Getty Images Name anything else that sounds more like heaven than the transcendent 'God Only Knows.' We'll wait. No less than Paul McCartney has called it the 'greatest song ever written.' 'It was 'Pet Sounds' that blew me out of the water,' said McCartney in a 1990 interview. 'First of all, it was Brian's writing. I love the album so much. … I figure no one is educated musically 'til they've heard that album. ' 6 Brian Wilson performed at a Yahoo! Music event in Los Angeles in 2008. AP Advertisement Wilson, the tortured soul and artist that he was, tried to follow up 'Pet Sounds' with the ambitious 'Smile,' but the album is part of music legend for remaining unfinished. As the Beach Boys' creative leader battled his own mental demons and substance abuse, the project was abandoned amid clashes between him and the rest of the band. While Wilson would remain connected to the Beach Boys for years, it was never the same. And it had to sting when his former group hit No. 1 again with 1988's 'Kokomo' without him, as he launched a solo career that never reached the heights of his Beach Boys work. But Wilson's legacy had long been secured as one of the all-time greats. Like Sly Stone, the funk pioneer who also passed away at 82 on Monday, his impact and influence were already living on in generations after him well before he died, from Fleetwood Mac and R.E.M. to Lana Del Rey and Beyoncé, who interpolates 'Good Vibrations' on her 'Cowboy Carter' album. 6 After forming in 1961, the Beach Boys scored their first Top 10 hit with 'Surfin' U.S.A.' in 1963. Michael Ochs Archives Advertisement 'He was our American Mozart. A one of a kind genius from another world,' wrote Sean Ono Lennon, John Lennon's son, on X. No doubt — Wilson's musical mission was accomplished. 'I wanted to write joyful music that would make other people feel good,' he said when the Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. But music — and summer — will never be the same without him.
