Brian Wilson, the musical visionary behind one of America’s most iconic bands, has died at the age of 82.
Wilson, a co-founder of the Beach Boys and chief architect of their unmistakable sound, passed away following a lengthy struggle with a neurocognitive condition that had limited his public presence in recent years.
His children shared the news Wednesday via the singer’s official Instagram account, along with a recent photograph of Wilson.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now,” the post read.
We are heartbroken to announced 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 grieving.
We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.
Love & Mercy pic.twitter.com/sIe7TUUdOm
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) June 11, 2025
“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.”
Wilson, born in 1942 and raised in Hawthorne, California, first made waves in American music as the creative force behind the Beach Boys.
Along with his younger brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine, Wilson transformed a simple garage act into a musical juggernaut.
The group got its start rehearsing in Brian’s bedroom and the family garage before making their big break.
The Beach Boys released their debut single “Surfin’” in 1961, penned quickly by Wilson and Love to capitalize on the rise of surf music.
It was a modest hit that hinted at what was to come. Through the 1960s, the band churned out a string of surf-inspired anthems, including Surfin’ Safari, Surfin’ U.S.A., and Surfer Girl, solidifying their status as the voice of a carefree California youth culture.
However, the glamour of fame was accompanied by personal cost to the band’s founder. In 1964, Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown.
He stopped touring with the band but maintained his creative presence in the studio.
The following years were marked by further psychological struggles, yet they also saw Wilson produce what would become the group’s critical pinnacle: Pet Sounds in 1966.
Though Pet Sounds initially underperformed commercially, it eventually gained recognition as a groundbreaking piece of pop art.
Wilson sang lead on many of the album’s tracks, and its intricate arrangements set a new bar in American songwriting.
But the album also marked a turning point for Wilson personally.
He began retreating further from public life, diving deeper into psychedelic drug use, which reportedly contributed to long-term psychological harm.
By the mid-1970s, Wilson’s descent into addiction was well underway.
He became reclusive, his marriage to singer Marilyn Rovell unraveled, and his reliance on drugs worsened.
According to one account, his substance abuse extended to heroin during this period.
Despite his struggles, Wilson experienced periodic revivals. One of the most notable came in 1976, when he returned to tour with the band under the promotional campaign: “Brian’s Back!”
His reappearance was seen by fans as a hopeful sign, though his health remained fragile.
He continued to oscillate between public appearances and private battles with overeating and drug dependency.
In 1984, doctors diagnosed Wilson with paranoid schizophrenia, attributing part of his condition to brain damage linked to prolonged drug use.
A turning point in his personal life came in 1995, when he married Melinda Ledbetter, which was seemingly stabilizing for the singer.
Wilson referred to Melinda as his “savior,” recognizing her central role in his recovery efforts and in preserving his legacy.
Her death in 2023 marked a devastating moment for both his family, and Wilson’s mental health.
Soon after Melinda’s passing, Wilson’s health situation again drew public attention.
In February of that year, his family filed for conservatorship. The filing confirmed that Wilson had been diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder bearing similarities to dementia.
In a formal statement, the family outlined the transition in his care.
“Following the passing of Brian’s beloved wife Melinda, after careful consideration and consultation among Brian, his seven children, Gloria Ramos and Brian’s doctors (and consistent with family processes put in place by Brian and Melinda), we are confirming that longtime Wilson family representatives LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian’s co-conservators of the person.”
Wilson’s artistic contributions remain unparalleled in American popular music.
The Beach Boys—whose catalog helped define a generation—sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Their influence was recognized formally when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
Rolling Stone magazine ranked them 12th on its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time,” a testament to their enduring relevance.