The musician Brian Wilson, founder of The Beach Boys, passed away at the age of 83 on June 11th.
The musician Brian Wilson, founder of The Beach Boys and regarded as one of the most prolific artists, passed away on June 11 at the age of 83, his family confirmed through a message posted on their social media. “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We have no words at this moment. Please respect our privacy at this time, as our family is in mourning. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love and Mercy,” reads the brief message accompanied by a photo of Brian.
Brian Wilson was born on June 20, 1942, and from a very young age discovered that music was his passion, until in 1961 he wrote his first original melody, loosely based on “When You Wish Upon a Star.” The song would later be known as “Surfer Girl.”
Together with his brothers, his cousin Mike Love, and Al Jardine, they recorded the song «Surfin'» in 1961, which became a local hit on Candix Records. They would soon become known as the Beach Boys.
In 1965, the Beach Boys released their album Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!), featuring «California Girls,» which reached number 3 on the U.S. charts, while the album itself reached number 2.
For over six decades, the group’s music has been part of American history, as their harmonies conveyed simple truths through musical arrangements, in addition to transcending as representatives of Californian culture, as can be read in the official biography of the group.
What did Brian Wilson die from?
Although his family requested respect for the moment they are experiencing, the causes of his passing were not disclosed. In 1984, he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia after doctors found evidence that his brain damage was related to drug use. In February 2024, it was revealed that he had dementia.
How did his colleagues from The Beach Boys bid farewell to Brian Wilson?
Through their social networks, the group wrote: «The world mourns today for a genius, and we lament the loss of our cousin, our friend, and our companion in a great musical adventure. Brian Wilson was not only the heart of The Beach Boys, but he was also the soul of our sound,» they stated in a first part. «We are heartbroken by his passing. We will continue to cherish the timeless music we created together and the joy it brought to millions over the decades. And although we will miss him deeply, his legacy will live on through his songs and in our memories. Our hearts are with Brian’s family and his loved ones during this difficult time.»