Brian Wilson, Co-Founder of the Beach Boys, Passes Away at 82
June 17, 2025
Whether you grew up with their music or found it later in life, the Beach Boys have definitely made an impact on popular culture. On June 11, 2025, we lost one of the popular band’s co-founders, singer, songwriter, and record producer, Brian Wilson. He was 82 years old.
His family announced his death on his Instagram page, with a recent photo of him sitting on a bench. The caption read, “We are heartbroken to announce 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 is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”
Brian Wilson Was a Founding Member of The Beach Boys
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Brian Wilson was born in Inglewood, CA, on June 20, 1942. In 1961, in Hawthorne, CA, he and his two brothers, Dennis and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine formed a band. Originally calling themselves the Pendletones, these five were the original members of The Beach Boys.
The Beach Boys, with a focus on the surfing music of Southern California in the 1960s, released their first studio album in 1962, called ‘Surfin’ Safari.’ The song ‘Surfin' USA’ became their first top-ten single. Then the success of their second album, ‘Surfin' USA,’ put them in the national spotlight.
In 1964, He Stopped Touring With the Band
Brian was on lead vocals and bass guitar, but in December 1964, while he was touring with the band, he had a breakdown. He stopped touring with the band and focused solely on songwriting and producing.
He released his first solo album, 'Brian Wilson', in 1988, the same year that the founding members of the Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Brian Struggled With Mental Illness As Well As Addiction
Despite the catchy and fun tunes he made, Brian Wilson had many health struggles over the years. He dealt with mental health issues, battled addiction, and was diagnosed with dementia more recently.
Brian has shared in the past that he had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which included hallucinations, depression, paranoia, as well as mania. He also struggled with drug addiction and had been deaf in one of his ears since childhood.
Although the singer and songwriter has dealt with so much over the years, in 2012, he released his 11th solo album, ‘At My Piano.’ That same year, he performed with the Beach Boys once again for their 50th anniversary. "I feel good. I really do feel good these days," he told PEOPLE. “This whole year has been very emotional and — what do you call that word? — sentimental."
Brian Wilson’s Family
The artist was married twice and has seven children. Carnie and Wendy are from his first marriage to Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford. The two also formed part of the 1990s band Wilson Philips. Daria, Delanie, Dylan, Dash, and Dakota Rose were his five adopted children with his second wife, Melinda Ledbetter. She recently passed away in 2024.
The artist was not the first of the original band members to pass away. His brother Dennis drowned back in 1983, and his brother Carl died in 1998 from complications of lung cancer. His family has not disclosed his cause of death at this time.
He will be missed, but his legacy will live on through his music.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Singer Michael Bolton Opens Up About His Aggressive Brain Cancer Diagnosis
“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” - Romans 14:8
WATCH: Brian Wilson Passes Away at Age 82!
LISTEN: 5-Year-Old Climbs 35 Feet Up a Tree, Firefighters Rush to Rescue | Singer Michael Bolton Opens Up About His Brain Cancer
h/t: PEOPLE
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Fox News
Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.
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