This Wednesday, the death of Brian Wilson, founder of the iconic band The Beach Boys, was announced. The news came from the musician’s family, who, through social media, asked for privacy and respect during this difficult time. Here is everything we know so far about his passing.
What did Brian Wilson die of?
As of now, the family has not disclosed the official cause of death. However, earlier in 2024, the Beach Boys’ frontman was diagnosed with dementia, a condition that gradually deteriorated his health over time.
How old was Brian Wilson?
At the time of his death, Brian Wilson was 82 years old.
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What was Brian Wilson’s net worth?
Brian Wilson’s net worth was estimated at $100 million, accumulated over decades of work in the entertainment industry.
Who was Brian Wilson?
Brian Wilson, born on June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, was a celebrated American singer, songwriter, and music producer. He was the founding member of The Beach Boys and left an indelible mark on popular music thanks to his innovative songwriting and mastery of recording techniques. His work influenced countless musicians and producers around the world.
Raised in Hawthorne, a suburb of Los Angeles, Wilson grew up in a musical household. His mother played the piano, and his father, though a machinist by trade, had a passion for songwriting. Brian showed a strong interest in music from an early age, inspired by compositions like George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, often played by his mother.
Together with his younger brothers Dennis and Carl, Brian began exploring vocal harmonies—something that would later become a signature element of The Beach Boys’ sound. Despite being nearly completely deaf in his right ear due to a childhood accident, Brian developed a remarkable ability to craft complex harmonies.
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Influenced by artists like Chuck Berry, The Four Freshmen, and Rosemary Clooney, Wilson taught himself to play piano and started composing music at a young age. For his 16th birthday, he received a reel-to-reel tape recorder and quickly began experimenting with overdubbing techniques—an innovation that would later define his work as a producer.
In the early 1960s, Brian formed a band with his brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Originally called The Pendletones, they recorded demos including “Surfin’,” released in 1961. Unbeknownst to the group, Candix Records renamed them The Beach Boys before the song’s release. “Surfin’” became a local hit, capturing the attention of Capitol Records, which soon signed the group to a seven-year deal.
In 1962, the band released “Surfin’ Safari,” which climbed to No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, they released their debut album of the same name, with most of the songs written by Wilson and Mike Love. The Beach Boys quickly became a cultural sensation, known for their upbeat harmonies and lyrics about surfing, cars, and California youth.
Over the following decades, Wilson continued to work both with the band and on solo projects. In 2000, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Four years later, he completed and released SMiLE, a long-awaited project, earning a Grammy for the track “Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow.” He was honored by the Kennedy Center in 2007, and in 2013, The Smile Sessions won a Grammy for Best Historical Album. His life story was portrayed in the critically acclaimed film Love & Mercy (2014), and in 2016, he published his memoir, I Am Brian Wilson.
