Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson dead at 82

Beach Boys co-founder and music icon Brian Wilson has died at the age of 82, his family confirmed in a statement.

Legendary singer-songwriter Brian Wilson, who founded the Beach Boys, has died at the age of 82, his family has confirmed.

“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” they wrote in a message shared on Instagram.

“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.”

Wilson died at the age of 82. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The Beach Boys onstage circa 1964 in California. (L-R) Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, Brian Wilson, Mike Love. Picture: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images.

The statement was signed off with the phrase “Love & Mercy”, in a nod to the title track of Wilson’s first solo album and also the name of the 2014 film based on his life.

Early last year, it was revealed that Wilson had been living with a degenerative disorder similar to dementia.

The legendary artist’s family members sought a conservatorship for him in February 2024, one month after his wife — and “healthcare proxy” — Melinda Ledbetter died at age 77.

It was granted after a judge ruled Wilson was unable to make his own decisions, and his lawyer said he had become “most difficult to understand”.

His condition meant he was “unable to properly provide for his [...] personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter”, according to court docs.

Wilson and Ledbetter adopted five kids during their time together from 1995 to 2024 — Daria, Delanie, Dylan, Dash and Dakota Rose.

Wilson also shared daughters Carnie and Wendy with his first wife, Marilyn Rovell.

He is survived by his seven children.

The Beach Boys (L-R Carl Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine) on May 1, 1987 in Los Angeles, California. Picture: Harry Langdon/Getty Images.

The Beach Boys were one of the most successful bands of all time, with 10 top-10 hits and seven more tracks charting in the top 40 – most of which were written or co-written and produced by Wilson.

Wilson founded the Beach Boys in 1961 with brothers Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, as well as cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine.

Brian Wilson and his wife Melinda Ledbetter on June 30, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Picture: Getty Images.

Brian Wilson in Malibu.

He was 19 when the band, originally called the Pendletones, was formed.

They released their first album, “Surfin’ Safari,” the following year, finding major success with “Surfin’ USA” in 1963.

Wilson resigned from touring in 1964, with his subsequent focus on songwriting and production leading to the band’s beloved “Pet Sounds” album.

- with The Sun

Originally published as Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson dead at 82