Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys and one of the most innovative musical minds of the 20th century, died on June 11, 2025, at the age of 82. Known for blending surf pop with intricate harmonies and groundbreaking studio techniques, Wilson leaves behind a legacy as both a beloved hitmaker and a figure marked by personal struggle.
Early Life and Musical Genius
Born in Inglewood, California, on June 20, 1942, Brian Douglas Wilson grew up in Hawthorne with his brothers Dennis and Carl. From a young age, Brian showed an extraordinary musical aptitude, learning harmonies from The Four Freshmen and piano from watching his father, Murry Wilson. Despite a traumatic childhood and partial deafness in his right ear, he began composing music in his teens and helped form the Beach Boys with his brothers, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine in 1961.
The Beach Boys and the California Sound
Wilson’s early compositions, including “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “California Girls,” and “Fun, Fun, Fun,” defined the sun-soaked optimism of 1960s Southern California. He guided the Beach Boys to national success, producing chart-topping hits and turning them into America’s answer to the Beatles. By 1966, they had landed 13 Top 10 singles, three of which reached No. 1.
The Genius Behind “Pet Sounds”
Wilson’s 1966 magnum opus, Pet Sounds, is widely considered one of the greatest albums of all time. Fusing classical instrumentation with rock sensibilities, the album showcased Wilson’s ambitious production and emotional vulnerability. Songs like “God Only Knows” and “I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times” revolutionized pop music. The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was directly inspired by Wilson’s masterpiece.
The Lost Years and “Smile”
After “Pet Sounds,” Wilson embarked on an even more ambitious project, Smile. However, due to rising mental health issues, drug use, and internal band conflict, the album was shelved. The project became one of rock’s most famous unfinished works, only to be completed and released in full decades later.
Mental Illness, Control, and Recovery
Wilson’s life took a darker turn as he battled schizoaffective disorder and auditory hallucinations. He withdrew from public life, and in the 1980s, came under the controversial care of Dr. Eugene Landy, who exercised near-total control over Wilson’s personal and professional life. Following a court battle, Landy was removed from Wilson’s life permanently in the 1990s.
Personal Life and Later Years
In 1995, Wilson married Melinda Ledbetter, a former model and car saleswoman who helped him stabilize and reclaim his autonomy. They adopted five children and remained married until her death in 2024. Wilson also fathered Carnie and Wendy Wilson, who rose to fame in the pop group Wilson Phillips.
In his final decades, Wilson returned to the stage, performing Pet Sounds in full, releasing solo albums including Smile in 2004 and At My Piano in 2021, and receiving a Kennedy Center Honor in 2007.
Final Days and Death
After Melinda’s death, Wilson’s health declined. In 2024, he was placed under a conservatorship after being diagnosed with dementia and a major neurocognitive disorder. He passed away on June 11, 2025. His family initally announced his death via Instagram but did not specify the location or cause.
Funeral and Burial
Wilson’s funeral details are currently private. Details have not been released. Updates may become available on FindAGrave.com in the coming months, likely around September 2025.
Discography Highlights
With the Beach Boys:
- Surfin’ Safari (1962)
- Pet Sounds (1966)
- Smile Sessions (2011)
Solo Albums:
- Brian Wilson (1988)
- Smile (2004)
- That Lucky Old Sun (2008)
- At My Piano (2021)
Influence and Legacy
Brian Wilson changed the landscape of popular music. His innovative arrangements and emotional honesty inspired generations of musicians, including the Beatles, Radiohead, and countless indie rock artists. Despite his lifelong battle with mental illness, Wilson remained a symbol of resilience and artistic purity. He once said his goal was to write “joyful music that would make other people feel good.”
Recommended Reading and Listening
- I Am Brian Wilson: A Memoir (2016)
- Catch a Wave by Peter Ames Carlin
- Smile: The Story of Brian Wilson’s Lost Masterpiece by Domenic Priore
- Love & Mercy (2014 Biopic)
FAQ About Brian Wilson
Here are frequently asjed quesions about Brian Wilson and his life, legacy and death.
His family did not release an official cause of death, but in 2024 he was diagnosed with dementia and a major neurocognitive disorder.
He passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 82
His funeral was private, and burial details have not been made public. Updates may be available on FindAGrave.com by September 2025.
Yes. Though abandoned in the 1960s, Wilson completed and released Smile as a solo project in 2004.
Yes. He was married to Melinda Ledbetter from 1995 until her death in 2024.
He had two daughters from his first marriage and five adopted children with Melinda Ledbetter.
He was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and later with a major neurocognitive disorder.
Pet Sounds is considered one of the most influential albums in pop history for its innovative arrangements and emotional depth. See on Amazon.
Yes. He received multiple Grammy Awards and a Kennedy Center Honor in 2007.
Yes. The 2014 biopic Love & Mercy stars Paul Dano and John Cusack portraying Wilson at different stages of his life.