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Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Beach Boy Brian Wilson, surf rock poet, dies at 82
Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys co-founder who masterminded the group's wild popularity and soundtracked the California dream, has died, his family announced. He was 82. The statement on Instagram did not give a cause. Wilson was placed under a legal conservatorship last year due to a "major neuro-cognitive disorder." "We are at a loss for words right now," said his family. "We realise that we are sharing our grief with the world." The pop visionary crafted hits whose success rivaled The Beatles throughout the 1960s, a seemingly inexhaustible string of feel-good tracks including Surfin' USA, I Get Around, Fun, Fun, Fun and Surfer Girl that made the Beach Boys into America's biggest selling band. Wilson didn't surf, but his prodigious pen and genius ear allowed him to fashion the boundary-pushing soundscape of beachside paradise. His lush productions were revered among his peers, with even Bob Dylan once telling Newsweek: "That ear -- I mean, Jesus, he's got to will that to the Smithsonian!" Dylan also paid tribute to Wilson on Wednesday, posting on X "about all the years I've been listening to him and admiring his genius. Rest in peace dear Brian." After five years of extraordinary songwriting, in which he produced 200 odes to sun, surfing and suntanned girls, Wilson sank into a deep, drug-fuelled depression for decades. He would emerge 35 years later to complete the Beach Boys' unfinished album, Smile -- widely regarded as his masterpiece. Surfin' USA John Lennon said he considered Pet Sounds (1966) to be one of the best albums of all time, while Paul McCartney said Wilson was a "genius" -- who reduced him to tears with one song from the album, God Only Knows, which Wilson wrote in 45 minutes. Its melancholic depths hinted at Wilson's own painful secret. Born on June 20, 1942 in a Los Angeles suburb, Wilson found music as a haven of safety and joy after an upbringing in which he suffered abuse from his domineering father, who would go on to manage the group. Music was his protection, and The Beach Boys was a family affair: he formed the band with his two brothers Dennis and Carl, his cousin Mike Love and neighbour Al Jardine. Wilson did all the songwriting, arranging and sang and played bass guitar; his bandmates just had to sing in harmony. Their first song Surfin, in 1961, was a loose prototype for the unique sound that would become their signature, a fusion of the rock styles of Chuck Berry and Little Richard with the preppy vocal harmonies of The Four Freshmen. By late 1962, there was hardly a teen who did not know them thanks to the eternal ode to youthful nonchalance, Surfin' USA. Lost youth But Wilson was ill at ease on stage and did not like recording studios. In 1964 he had a panic attack on a plane to France, after which he stopped touring. He was deaf in his right ear and his mouth sagged when he sang -- the result of the many beatings he received from his father. "It was tough. My dad was quite the slave driver," Wilson told Rolling Stone magazine in 2018. "He made us mow the lawn and when we were done, he'd say, 'Mow it again.'" The Beach Boys' early songs spoke of simple joys and innocence. But Wilson's writing became darker as he began to eulogise lost youth. He channelled the group towards the more psychedelic rock central to the hippie culture taking hold in California. In 1966 he brought out Good Vibrations, a song recorded in four different studios that consumed over 90 hours of tape and included multiple keys, textures, moods and instrumentations. The single topped the charts and sold one million copies in the US, but Wilson was at the brink. In 1967, his mental health deteriorated, worn down by his enormous workload and his wild consumption of illegal substances. He abandoned Smile, planted his grand piano in a sandbox, and took vast quantities of narcotics. Eventually diagnosed as schizophrenic, Wilson began hearing voices and thought the famed Wall of Sound producer Phil Spector was spying on him and stealing his work. The group eventually parted ways. 'Gentlest revolutionary' The troubled artist had long stints of rehab and relapses as well as legal issues, including a lengthy, eyebrow-raising relationship with a controlling psychotherapist who was eventually blocked by a court order from contact with Wilson. The artist credits his marriage to former model Melinda Ledbetter as helping him to rebuild his life. He revived and finished Smile, releasing it in 2004. His brother Dennis drowned in 1983, while Carl died of cancer in 1998. Last year Wilson's family successfully pursued a legal conservatorship following the death of Melinda, with his long-time manager and publicist being put in charge of his affairs. Wilson's seven children were consulted by the conservators regarding major health decisions as a stipulation of the agreement. The musician's many accolades included a Kennedy Center Honour in 2007, when that committee dubbed him "rock and roll's gentlest revolutionary." "There is real humanity in his body of work," they said, "vulnerable and sincere, authentic and unmistakably American."
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
10 songs to celebrate the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, from Good Vibrations to God Only Knows
The musical world lost a giant with the death of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys' visionary and fragile leader, at the aged of 82. Advertisement Attempting to distil Wilson's talent and influence in a few short songs is an impossibility; even just focusing on a few select cuts from The Beach Boys' 1966 album Pet Sounds, routinely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, would feel shortsighted. To celebrate Wilson's life and legacy , we've decided to identify just a few songs that made the man, from the fiercely familiar to a few unexpected tunes. 1. Surfin' USA, The Beach Boys (1963) The song of the summer in 1963 – heck, the song of any summer, ever – 'Surfin' USA' at least partially introduced the group that would forever become synonymous with an image of California bliss, where the sun always shines, the waves are always pristine, and paradise is a place on Earth. It's hard to imagine the beach existing before these wake-up riffs, the guitars that sparked a surf rock movement and then some. It's hard to think that surf music was once mostly just instrumental – even when Wilson and his cousin, fellow Beach Boy Mike Love, hastily wrote up their first single, 'Surfin',' a minor hit released in 1961. The song borrows heavily from Chuck Berry's 'Sweet Little Sixteen.' 2. Don't Worry Baby, The Beach Boys (1964)
News24
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News24
Beach Boy Brian Wilson, surf rock poet, dies at 82
Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys has died at the age of 82. The pop visionary created 1960s classics like 'Surfin' USA' but endured decades of personal struggles. Wilson's genius shaped American pop culture, crafting timeless hits that cemented the Beach Boys' legendary status. Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys co-founder who masterminded the group's wild popularity and soundtracked the California dream, has died, his family announced Wednesday. He was 82. 'We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father, Brian Wilson, has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now,' read the statement published on Wilson's social media accounts. 'We realise that we are sharing our grief with the world.' The pop visionary crafted hits whose success rivalled The Beatles throughout the 1960s: between 1962 and 1966, a seemingly inexhaustible string of feel-good hits, including Surfin' USA, I Get Around, Fun, Fun, Fun, and Surfer Girl made the Beach Boys into America's biggest selling band. But after five years of prodigious songwriting, in which he produced 200 odes to sun, surfing and suntanned girls, Wilson sank into a deep, drug-fueled depression for decades. He would emerge 35 years later to complete the Beach Boys' unfinished album, 'Smile,' widely regarded as his masterpiece. 'Surfin' USA' Born on 20 June 1942 in a Los Angeles suburb, music was a haven of safety and joy for Wilson after an upbringing in which he suffered abuse from his domineering father, who would go on to manage the group. Music was Wilson's protection as he gathered his brothers around a Hammond organ in the living room to teach them jazz and gospel harmonies. The Beach Boys was a family affair. He formed the band with his two brothers Dennis and Carl, his cousin Mike Love and neighbour Al Jardine when he was 19, who just lived around the corner in Hawthorne. Wilson did all the songwriting, arranging and sang and played bass guitar. His bandmates just had to sing in harmony. Their first song, Surfin, released in 1961, combined the rock styles of Chuck Berry and Little Richard with the preppy vocal harmonies of The Four Freshmen. By late 1962, hardly a teen did not know them, thanks to Surfin' USA. Last year, Wilson's family successfully pursued a legal conservatorship following the death of his wife, Melinda, with his longtime manager and publicist being put in charge of his affairs. Wilson suffered a 'major neurocognitive disorder,' the judge said. Wilson's seven children were consulted by the conservators regarding major health decisions as a stipulation of the agreement.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Watch Brian Wilson's last ever performance of iconic Beach Boys hit just two years before his death aged 82
WATCH Brian Wilson's last ever performance after it was announced that the Beach Boys founder has died aged 82. The legendary singer-songwriter - who was living with a degenerative disorder similar to dementia - last sang publicly in 2022. 6 6 Performing at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan, the icon belted out a range of historic tracks. He performed the famous tune Surfin' USA, Help Me Rhonda and California Girls. Wilson appeared onstage as part of his 2022 US Summer Tour in July of that year. Today, the music legend's family announced the tragic news that he passed away following a health battle. In a post shared on Instagram on Wednesday, Wilson's family wrote: '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. Love & Mercy.' Tributes are starting to roll in from fans and celebrities alike. The Rolling Stones legend Ronnie has lead the tributes to the star and confirmed his world is "in mourning" following the passing of Brian and fellow musician, Sly Stone. Celebrated as a spectacular songwriter, Wilson was responsible for initial successes including Surfin' USA, Surfer Girl, and I Get Around. Other famous tunes include All Summer Long, Don't Worry Baby, and California Girls. Born in Inglewood, California, Wilson formed the band - first called the Pendletones - as a teenager with his brothers Dennis and Carl. He was the eldest and last surviving of the trio. Brian played bass, Carl lead guitar and Dennis was on drums. The Beach Boys rocketed to fame during the 1960s, going from local California band to national hitmakers - and international ambassadors of surf and sun. As much as Wilson had a gift, he also battled demons. He was tormented by his obsession with achieving perfection, which inflicted stress and exhaustion. A judge signed off on a conservatorship for the Beach Boys legend just months after he was diagnosed with dementia in 2024. He consented to the agreement and had no objections. Wilson's doctor said the musician suffered from a "major neurocognitive disorder" and needed help making healthcare decisions. The judge's decision to approve Wilson's conservatorship came as the pop icon prepared to launch new music this year. In 1970, the Beach Boys star started working on a country album with the band's former manager Fred Vail on lead vocals. The project was paused but was later picked up again by the two musicians. The album had been due for release in 2025 and Wilson was due to be featured on guest vocals, according to Rolling Stone. 6 6 6 Brian Wilson's illness and conservatorship A judge signed off on a conservatorship for Beach Boys legend Wilson just months after he was diagnosed with dementia in 2024. He consented to the agreement and had no objections. Wilson's doctor said the musician suffered from a "major neurocognitive disorder" and needed help making healthcare decisions. The judge also agreed to a stipulation requested by an attorney for Wilson's eldest daughters, Carnie and Wendy Wilson. Wilson's daughters asked that all of his children be added to a text chain from his nurses to receive updates on their father if they choose. The addition was added to the petition before it was signed by Judge May. Wilson has seven children, two of whom lived with him. In his decision, May wrote that "the conservatee lacks the capacity to make his own healthcare decisions." His new conservators, manager-publicist Jean Sievers and business manager LeeAnn Hard, were ordered to "consult with the conservatee's children regarding all material related healthcare decisions." Wilson's lawyer, Robert Frank Cipriano, reported that his client agreed that he needed a conservatorship after his wife's death. Melinda, who died at age 77, was previously in charge of her husband's affairs. Cipriano said that Wilson was "mostly difficult to understand and gave very short responses to questions and comments" and had issues remembering the names of his other children. The petition said there wouldn't be major changes to Wilson's living arrangements under the conservatorship. The judge's decision to approve Wilson's conservatorship came as the pop icon prepared to launch new music this year.
