Brian Wilson, cofounder of the Beach Boys and mastermind behind hits like God Only Knows and Pet Sounds, has died at 82, his family announced. A musical innovator and pop icon, Wilson helped define the 1960s California sound with lush harmonies and emotional depth.
Despite battling mental illness throughout his life, Wilson’s creative genius never waned. He revolutionized pop music production and inspired The Beatles with his 1966 masterpiece Pet Sounds. His later years saw a resurgence with solo tours and the acclaimed biopic Love & Mercy.
Wilson is survived by his children and leaves behind a legacy of musical brilliance that shaped generations.
