Brian Wilson, a founding member and the visionary guiding force behind the Beach Boys, has died.
Wilson was 82.
News of Wilson’s passing was made public on Wednesday morning by the pop music legend’s family via social media.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” a post reads on Brian Wilson’s official Facebook page. “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.”
No other details about his death were provided.
Wilson will be remembered as one of the greatest songwriters in pop music history, in the same league as Smokey Robinson and Bob Dylan. His best-known songs include such Beach Boys hits as “Surfer Girl,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me, Rhonda” and “Good Vibrations.”
Word of passing was met online, of course, with profound sadness from fans, many of whom had grown up with Beach Boys music and then passed it on to their children. Yet, there was also a true sense of heartfelt gratitude in many of the posts, as fans thanked Wilson for all the joy and good times that his music provided over the decades.
“Other than McCartney, no other music genius has moved me more and made me constantly search for the next song inspired by Brian Wilson,” Concord’s Joe Field posted on X. “He was a pop equivalent to Mozart, Chopin… he just wasn’t made for these times.”
In many ways, of course, Wilson’s music is very much tied to a specific time and place — the pre-Summer of Love ’60s in the still-very much Golden era of the California Dream. There was a lingering sense of the ’50s in much of his the music, with high hopes and good times mingling through a lens of bikinis, surfboards, hot rods and young love.
Yet, his music transcended geography — selling that California Dream across the nation as well as around the globe. (So, yes, you can partially blame Wilson for the overcrowded freeways and high home prices the Golden State). And it’s certainly moved well beyond its intended audience, as new listeners are still getting turned on to the joys of Wilson’s music today.
“Brian Wilson didn’t just write songs—he gave us waves of sound that carried generations,” reflected Dan Orloff, who runs the South Bay music historical society San Jose Rocks. “A true genius who made the world surf, sing and dream. He certainly shaped the soundtrack of my life.”
We will add to this story as more information becomes available. Check back for updates.