The Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson has died at the age of 82, his family have announced in a tearful tribute shared on social media, prompting an outpouring of condolences

The Beach Boys star Brian Wilson has died. The news has prompted tributes to the acclaimed singer-songwriter, who had a decades-long career in the music industry.

His family announced that the musician, who was 82, has died in a statement that has been released this afternoon. Alongside a photo of Brian sitting on a park bench, they shared their heartbreak over his death and said in the caption that they were aware that they are sharing their grief with his fans

Brian’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 realise that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”

The musician rose to fame as a member of the beloved band alongside his two siblings. Brian was part of the original line-up with his late brothers Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and pal Al Jardine.

Alongside providing vocals for the group, Brian also wrote and produced music for the Beach Boys. He’s credited as having written some of their best known songs like Wouldn’t It Be Nice, Good Vibrations and God Only Knows.

The Beach Boys first began releasing music in 1961 and went on to have chart success with singles like Surfin’ U.S.A. and I Get Around, which were both released in the 1960s. Their debut album, Surfin’ Safari, was released back in 1962.

Brian’s family paid tribute to him in a statement released this week ( 
Image:
brianwilsonlive/Instagram)
During that decade, Brian experienced what he described as the first of several “breakdowns”. It happened on board a flight with his bandmates in 1964. Years later, he recalled the incident and the aftermath to Rolling Stone magazine.

He shared that he later had a three-hour conversation with his late mother, Audree Wilson, and told her things he’d “never told anyone,” adding that she “sort of straightened [him] out”. He said that he “dumped out a lifelong hang-up”

Brian added that weeks later, he made the decision not to tour anymore, but to continue working on material for the group. He recalled at the time: “I told them I foresee a beautiful future for the Beach Boys group, but the only way we could achieve it was if they did their job and I did mine.”

The musician continued to speak about mental health in the years since and partnered with the Campaign to Change Direction in 2015 in a bid to raise awareness. He suggested in a statement at the time that he wanted to “bring the conversation of mental health in America out of the shadows”.

Brian has also spoken about the impact of his past drug use. He told Rolling Stone in 2016: “I want people to realise that drugs can be very detrimental and dangerous.”

It’s been announced that singer-songwriter Brian Wilson has died, aged 82 ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
He told BBC News that year that psychodelic drugs had “screwed” his brain up. Brian, who suggested that his brain got “more creative” as a result, also told the outlet that he had continued to experience auditory hallucinations. He said in the interview with the outlet nine years ago: “I hear them every day.”

Brian continued to work on music for the Beach Boys in the 1970s and 1980s though. During that period, they released singles such as Lady Lynda, Wipeout! and Kokomo – all of which charted in the UK at the time. Wipeout! reached number 2.

As well as being considered a commercial success, the Beach Boys’ legacy includes having been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. The group were also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 2001.

Although best known for his work with the band, Brian also pursued a solo career at times. His self-titled debut album was released in 1988, and he’s released numerous albums since, most recently At My Piano, which came out in 2021.

It was reported last year that Brian, who has been described as a “genius” in his career, had dementia. The news of a “neurocognitive disorder” came following the death of his wife, Melinda Ledbetter.

Brian had been married to Melinda, who died last year, since 1995. Prior to their relationship, he had been married to Marilyn Rovell, with whom he shared his daughter Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson, who followed in his musical footsteps, with them members of the group Wilson Phillips.

Asked about what he would like his legacy to be, Brian told CGTN America in 2016: “As a good harmony maker.” He further commented: “Melody writer and a song writer, but mostly the harmonies I did with the Beach Boys.”

The news of Brian’s death has prompted tributes. One fan wrote on X: “The music world lost a legend today. RIP Brian Wilson.” Another said: “Brian Wilson has passed away at age 82. He gave us the sound of innocence, the ache of longing, and the harmony of hope. Today, the world is quieter without him. Thank you for the music, Brian.”

He’s best known for having been a member of the Beach Boys alongside Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Carl Wilson ( 
Image:
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
A third fan wrote: “One of the greatest Americans to ever live has just passed. Brian Wilson, beyond being perhaps the most talented musician this country has ever produced, you were a creative titan, an innovator. Your perseverance through the jungles of mental health was inspiring. Thank you.”

The Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood referenced the recent news that fellow musician Sly Stone had died. Ronnie wrote in a post: “Oh no Brian Wilson and Sly Stone in one week.” He added: “My world is in mourning. So sad.”

Seán Ono Lennon, the son of the Beatles’ John Lennon and artist Yoko Ono, wrote: “Anyone who really knows me knows how heart broken 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.”