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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Roisin O'Conor

Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson dies aged 82

  • Brian Wilson, the co-founder, singer, songwriter, and producer of The Beach Boys, has died at the age of 82, according to a statement from his children.
  • Wilson's musical talent was evident from a young age, and he formed The Pendletones in 1961 with his brothers, cousin Mike Love, and classmate Al Jardine, later changing their name to The Beach Boys after their first hit, "Surfin'."
  • By 1963, Wilson limited his public appearances to focus on producing, leading to the hit album Surfin' USA, but the pressures of fame and competition with Beatlemania led to a breakdown and his withdrawal from live tours.
  • Wilson's groundbreaking album Pet Sounds (1966) was critically acclaimed but commercially disappointing, leading to drug abuse and mental health issues, including paranoid delusions and treatment by the controversial psychologist Eugene Landy.
  • Despite personal struggles, Wilson continued to create music, including solo albums and collaborations, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988; he is survived by his five children and grandchildren.

IN FULL

Brian Wilson, shy genius of the Beach Boys, dies aged 82

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