Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson, one of the founding members of the Beach Boys and their chief songwriter during the band's most productive and popular period, has died at the age of 82.

Born in Inglewood, California, Wilson grew up in a musical family, with his mother playing piano and his father singing in a barbershop quartet. By his teenage years, he was also writing songs and playing the piano. In 1961, Wilson formed the Beach Boys with his brothers, Carl Wilson (1946–1998) and Dennis Wilson (1944––1983), and his cousins, Mike Love and Al Jardine. The band's first hit, "Surfin'," came the following year and help define the California sound of the era: catchy songs about chasing girls and living life at the beach, with layered harmonies.

Wilson's role in the Beach Boys went beyond just being a songwriter and pianist. He was the creative force behind many of the band's most famous songs, including "God Only Knows," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," and "Good Vibrations." He also produced the band's records, bringing in new sounds and techniques that were ahead of their time. This was most apparent on 1966's "Pet Sounds," a defining album of the era now considered one of the most influential in pop music history. Its layered production techniques and complex arrangements informed countless records that followed. That same year, Wilson started work on an ambitious project called "Smile," the intended follow-up to the hugely successful "Pet Sounds." However, the album was never completed due to his declining mental health and other factors.

Wilson's struggles with his mental health led to his role in the band being severely diminished by the late 1960s, until he played barely any role at all. By the 1970s he was barely present, and by the '80s he wasn't a part of the band at all. During this time, his business and creative relationship with psychologist Eugene Landy (1934–2006) stirred controversy, due to Landy's insistence on taking a portion of Wilson's copyrights and royalties. Landy was often credited as a co-writer on Wilson's new work, despite having little to no involvement.

Despite the situation, Wilson continued to make music, both as a solo artist and with other collaborators. He released a self-titled album in 1988, which was well-received by critics. Around this time, he met Melinda Kae Ledbetter (1946–2024) at a Cadillac dealership in California. The pair began a relationship. Landy ordered Brian to cut ties with her, but after an investigation, a 1991 court order barred Landy from contacting Wilson, their controversial partnership was severed, and Wilson and Melinda married in 1995. The pair adopted five children.

Melinda Wilson is credited with helping Brian get the care he needed, and in turn re-starting his musical career, including writing new music and touring. Wilson also collaborated with artists such as Van Dyke Parks, Jeff Beck (1944–2023), and Burt Bacharach (1928–2023). In 2004, he released "Brian Wilson Presents Smile," a reimagining of the "Smile" project that he had started decades earlier. The album received critical acclaim and cemented his status as a musical legend.

He briefly reunited with the Beach Boys for a 2012 tour, and in 2016 did a world tour for the 50th anniversary of "Pet Sounds." Wilson continued to perform until 2022, when health concerns cut a tour short. Shortly thereafter, his daughter, Carnie Wilson (of the band Wilson Phillips) said her father would not be touring again.

Over the course of his career, Wilson sold millions of records, was nominated for nine Grammys (winning two), and was inducted into numerous Halls of Fame, including the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, among many other accolades. He released two memoirs, "Wouldn't It Be Nice: My Own Story," which he later disowned, and "I Am Brian Wilson: A Memoir." He is widely considered one of the greatest geniuses of 1960s music and popular music overall.

Written by Eric San Juan

(Image: Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)