Beach Boys' Brian Wilson Dies at 82: A Legacy of Genius and Heartache

2025-06-11 18:00:09.998

Brian Wilson, the innovative and pioneering co-founder of the Beach Boys, passed away at the age of 82. The news was confirmed by his children. Wilson's musical talent was evident from a young age, leading to the formation of the Beach Boys and the creation of iconic hits. His life was marked by both immense success and personal struggles, including mental health challenges and a difficult relationship with his father. The article details his contributions to the Beach Boys' success, the creation of the groundbreaking album *Pet Sounds*, his battles with mental illness and the controlling influence of his therapist Eugene Landy, and his later years, including his marriage to Melinda Ledbetter (who died earlier this year) and his continued musical output. His death follows the recent passing of his wife and his placement under a conservatorship earlier this year.