Brian Wilson, the visionary songwriter and co-founder of The Beach Boys who created the soundtrack to America's California dreaming, has died at age 82. His family announced his passing on Instagram, saying "We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away."
Wilson was the principal creative force behind The Beach Boys, whose early hits embodied the fantasy of California as a paradise of beautiful youth, fast cars and endless surf, making them the most popular American rock group of the 1960s. His groundbreaking album "Pet Sounds" revolutionized pop music and influenced countless artists, including The Beatles.
Beyond The Beach Boys, Wilson pursued a successful solo career, releasing acclaimed albums including "That Lucky Old Sun" (2008) and "No Pier Pressure" (2015). He collaborated with notable artists throughout his career, working with Van Dyke Parks on the legendary "SMiLE" sessions and later completing the project in 2004. His partnerships with lyricists like Tony Asher on "Pet Sounds" and his work with contemporary artists demonstrated his enduring creative spirit.
Wilson had been living with dementia, with his family filing for conservatorship in 2024 citing his "major neurocognitive disorder."
K-SUN CLASSICS "THE ROAD RADIO" has been honoring Wilson's musical legacy since its creation in 2009, regularly featuring his songs both with The Beach Boys and from his solo career, including tracks from "That Lucky Old Sun" and "No Pier Pressure."
He leaves behind a legacy as one of pop music's greatest songwriters and innovators, whose harmonies and melodies continue to define the sound of American summer.
