Beach Boys Lead Singer Brian Wilson Dies At 82

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Emma FanninJune 13, 2025, 12:03 amNews >

Brian Wilson, the former lead singer and songwriter for the Beach Boys, has died at 82.

“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” his family shared in an Instagram post, along with a serene photo of Wilson sitting on a bench in a beachy orange shirt.

“We are at a loss for words right now,” the post continued. “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.”

Wilson was a pioneer for the Beach Boys legacy, writing hit songs like “Surfin USA,” “Surfin Safari” and “Don’t Worry Baby,” all of which remain relevant in music culture today.

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The beachy, surf rock band began in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. Together, Wilson and his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, along with their cousin Mike Love, created playful harmonies and later became known for their “California Sound.” They sang about surfing, the sun, the beach and girls, and fans loved it.

Wilson didn’t have the most relaxing life, however. He struggled with severe mental health and substance abuse issues that heightened in the 1980s when he was kicked out of the band by Love. Then, he embarked on a solo career in 1988. Love was granted full permission to keep performing under the band’s name.

In the early 2010s, the band decided to set aside their differences and reunite for the band’s 50th anniversary. They began their tour in the United States before making their way to Canada and other countries such as Europe and Asia.

The band had yet another falling out, though, when Love kicked Wilson and Al Jardine, both of whom were in the original Beach Boys band.

Wilson told CNN in an interview, “I’m disappointed and can’t understand why he doesn’t want to tour with Al, David and me, we are out there having so much fun. After all, we are the real Beach Boys.”

Wilson also went against Love on a separate occasion when he protested against the Beach Boys’ performance at a hunting convention in 2020, by endorsing a petition that said, “Wouldn’t it be nice if all the Beach Boys, Stayed away from those who kill for fun?” This convention was also a fundraiser for Donald Trump’s first presidential campaign, which Love openly supported.

A spokesperson for the original members of the band shared their disapproval of the performance.

“We have absolutely nothing to do with the Trump benefit today in Newport Beach. Zero,” they told Variety. “We didn’t even know about it.”

Wilson leaves behind a powerful legacy of beachside anthems that will continue to define generations. His family has not commented on any details of his death at this time.