Beach Boys founder and visionary Brian Wilson has passed away at 82

'God only knows what I'd be without you...'

The Beach Boys founder and music visionary Brian Wilson has passed away at 82. 

Brian co-founded the Beach Boys in 1961 with his brothers, Carl and Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, and Al Jardine when the group was fresh out of high school.

The Beach Boys embodied the California lifestyle that made them the most popular American pop-rock group in the 60's – developing their signature sound, ‘surf rock’. Things took off for the band after their sophomore album Surfin' U.S.A. was released.

The Beach Boys produced big hits from there. From "Good Vibrations," "Wouldn't It Be Nice," "California Girls, "I Get Around," "God Only Knows," “Kokomo” and many, many more. 

The members of the Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000.

His family confirmed the news, asking for privacy as they mourn. Wilson had been living with a degenerative disorder since early last year and was placed under conservatorship following the death of his wife, Melinda.

We are heartbroken to announced that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away.

We are at a loss for words right now.

Please respect our privacy at this time as our family grieving.

We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.

Love & Mercy pic.twitter.com/sIe7TUUdOm

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) June 11, 2025

He is survived by seven children and leaves behind a legacy that shaped generations of music.

Vale, Brian Wilson.

Source: YouTube/60MinutesAustralia/Classicsongsofthe80s/beachboys/ X: BrianWilson