Brian Wilson, founder of the iconic pop-rock group The Beach Boys, has died at 82.
Brian Wilson’s family announced his death in a social media post on Wednesday, June 11. The statement read:
“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.”
Brian Wilson was known for his one-of-a-kind vocals and for heralding in an era of music focused on surfing culture. Wilson, along with his brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine, founded the Beach Boys in 1961.
Brian Wilson’s creative songwriting and production was at the core of the group’s success. Under Wilson’s direction, the group became one of the most commercially successful bands of all time and, to date, has sold more than 100 million records.
Over the course of their decades-long career, The Beach Boys landed four songs at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and 33 more in the Top 40. Songs like “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me Rhonda,” and “Don’t Worry, Baby,” all written or co-written by Brian Wilson, secured their place in history as one of the most iconic bands is history.
Brian Wilson’s Legacy
Brian Wilson toured with The Beach Boys for several years until mental health issues, depression, and drug use distanced him from the group. By 1990, Wilson was officially estranged from the band.
For the next two decades, Wilson toured as a soloist while fighting numerous lawsuits following the release of his memoir, Wouldn’t It Be Nice: My Own Story.
In 2011, he reunited with fellow founding members Mike Love and Al Jardine, along with David Marks, and Bruce Johnston to record a song for a possible album in honor of the Beach Boys’ 50th anniversary.
The years that followed included surgeries for Wilson that left him dependent on a walker. And in early 2024, the singer was diagnosed with dementia.
Around the time Brian Wilson distanced himself from the Beach Boys, his daughters, Wendy and Carnie, were finding their own success as members of the popular all-girl trio, Wilson Phillips.
In 2025, Brian Wilson’s granddaughter, Lola Bonfiglio, auditioned for American Idol. Her deep musical legacy was what inspired her to pursue a national stage.
