Brian Wilson, iconic co-founder of the Beach Boys, dies at 82

Brian Wilson, the pop music icon renowned for having co-founded The Beach Boys, has died at the age of 82.

People Magazine has reported that Wilson's family announced his demise on Wednesday, June 11, in a post on Instagram, which featured a recent photo of the musician smiling on a bench:

"We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away," the statement read. "We are at a loss for words right now. 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."

Sky News has reported that he suffered from dementia in his later years, in addition to ailing health, with court documents filed last year noting that he had "major neurocognitive disorder (such as dementia)." Parade has reported that he also dealt with severe anxiety disorder and auditory hallucinations, in addition to deafness in his right ear.

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Brian Wilson's life and legacy explored as tributes come pouring in:

Brian Wilson was born in 1942. He was raised in Hawthorne, California. He is known for having founded one of the nation's biggest rock bands, The Beach Boys, alongside his younger brothers Carl and Dennis, Mike Love, his cousin, and his friend, Al Jardine.

The band went on to become one of the most commercially successful groups of all time. According to their website, they've sold well over 100 million records worldwide.

While Rolling Stone placed them at No. 12 on its "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" list, People Magazine described Wilson as the "formative genius of the group" back in 1975. He was the band's songwriter and co-lead vocalist, in addition to playing the bass guitar and keyboard.

His two biographies, Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius and Wouldn't It Be Nice: Brian Wilson and the Making of the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds both outlined his passion and ear for music, which he honed at an early age.

He was only 19 when the band wrote its first song, "Surfin'." By 1962, they had dropped their first studio album, Surfin' Safari. Their sophomore album, Surfin' U.S.A., came out shortly after, and the band eventually became closely affiliated with what was known at the time as the "California sound."

The band eventually went on to produce 1966's Pet Sounds, 1967's scrapped effort, Smile, and the famed single, Good Vibrations, which is what established the band in the annals of rock 'n' roll history. Reflecting on Good Vibrations, he told People magazine back in 2018:

"That was a very complex record." He added, "We cut that in four studios. The verses at Gold Star, the bridge at Sunset Sound, the background music for the choruses at Western, and the vocals at Columbia. My brothers said, 'Brian, this is going to be a No. 1 record.' I said, 'I know!'"

Brian Wilson was the eldest and the last survivor among his three brothers. His catalogue with the group spans several hits, including I Get Around, Help Me, and Rhonda. He would have celebrated his 83rd birthday this June 20.

Tributes from all those who knew and loved Brian Wilson have come pouring in, including from Frank Sinatra's daughter, Nancy Sinatra. She shared a photo of the two on Instagram, and the caption read:

"His cherished music will live forever as he travels through the Universe and beyond. God bless you, sweet Brian."

Rolling Stone's Ronnie Wood said that his "world is in mourning" for Wilson, while Piers Morgan said, per Sky Media:

"A complex man but a musical genius and showbusiness icon. What a legacy he leaves."

Radio 2 DJ Tony Robinson also took to X to offer his condolences:

"So sorry to hear that Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys has passed away. So many hits, and to me it was the sound of summer. RIP Brian and thanks for the music."

Sean Ono Lennon, John Lennon and Yoko Ono's son, referred to Brian Wilson as the "American Mozart" and a "one of a kind genius from another world."

"Anyone who really knows me knows how heartbroken I am about Brian Wilson passing," he wrote on X. "Not many people influenced me as much as he did. I feel very lucky that I was able to meet him and spend some time with him. He was always very kind and generous."

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Brian Wilson's career saw him nab several accolades, including nine Grammy Award nominations. He won twice for his solo works in 2005 and 2013. In his personal life, he was first married to Marilyn Rovell from 1964 to 1979.

He then tied the knot with Melinda Kae Ledbetter in 1995. The two were married until she died in January last year. He shared two daughters, Carnie and Wendy, with his first wife. He shared five adopted children with his second wife: Daria, Delanie, Dylan, Dash, and Dakota Rose.