Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson was an American musical prodigy whose work with the Beach Boys reshaped popular music in the 1960s and beyond. Born Brian Douglas Wilson on 1942‑06‑20 in Inglewood, California, he displayed perfect pitch as a child and taught himself piano, accordion and bass, later mastering complex vocal harmonies inspired by the Four Freshmen. By 1961 he co‑founded the Beach Boys, writing, arranging, producing and performing a string of hits such as “Surf City,” “I Get Around,” “Help Me Rhonda” and the groundbreaking “Good Vibrations.” His experimental studio techniques turned the recording studio itself into an instrument, culminating in the critically acclaimed Pet Sounds (1966) and the unfinished masterpiece Smile, which demonstrated his visionary use of orchestration, layered vocals and psychedelic textures. Despite his genius, Wilson endured severe mental‑health challenges, chronicled by nervous breakdowns, hospitalizations, and a fraught relationship with psychologist Eugene Landy, yet he repeatedly resurfaced with solo projects like Brian Wilson (1988), Smile (2004) and No Pier Pressure (2015). His influence extends across genres—from art pop and psychedelia to modern indie and dream‑pop—earning him two Grammy Awards, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a lasting legacy celebrated in the biopic Love & Mercy. Wilson remained an active performer well into his eighties, touring globally, re‑interpreting his classic catalog with orchestras, and continuing to inspire new generations of musicians worldwide. He passed away on 2025‑06‑11 in Beverly Hills, California, leaving an indelible imprint on the fabric of American music.