Brian Wilson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brian Wilson
Wilson in 1990
Background information
Birth name	Brian Douglas Wilson
Born	(1942-06-20)June 20, 1942 Inglewood, California, U.S.
Origin	Hawthorne, California, U.S.
Died	June 11, 2025(2025-06-11) (aged 82)
Genres	Rock pop
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter record producer
Instruments	Vocals keyboards bass
Years active	1961–2022
Labels	Capitol Brother Reprise Caribou CBS Sire Giant Nonesuch Walt Disney
Signature

Brian Douglas Wilson (June 20, 1942 – June 11, 2025) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known for starting the famous band the Beach Boys. Many people call him a genius because he had new and exciting ideas for pop songs and was a master at recording music. He is seen as one of the most creative and important songwriters of the 1900s. His most famous songs are known for their amazing sound quality, beautiful harmonies, and thoughtful lyrics. Wilson was also known for his high singing voice and his lifelong struggles with mental health. He is considered one of the greatest musicians ever.

Some of the musicians who inspired Wilson when he was young were George Gershwin, the Four Freshmen, Phil Spector, and Burt Bacharach. In 1961, he started his music career with the Beach Boys. He was the band's main songwriter, producer, one of the lead singers, and played bass and keyboards. He was the main leader of the group. After the Beach Boys signed with Capitol Records in 1962, Wilson became one of the first pop musicians to write, arrange, produce, and perform his own songs. He also helped produce music for other groups like the Honeys. By the mid-1960s, he had written or co-written over twenty U.S. Top 40 hits. These included number-one songs like "Surf City" (1963), "I Get Around" (1964), "Help Me, Rhonda" (1965), and "Good Vibrations" (1966). He was one of the first music producers to use the recording studio like an instrument itself.

In 1964, Wilson felt overwhelmed by stress and stopped touring regularly with the band. He wanted to focus on writing and producing music. This led to famous works like the Beach Boys' album Pet Sounds and his first solo song, "Caroline, No" (both from 1966). He also started working on an album called Smile, but it wasn't finished at the time. By the late 1960s, he was making less music and his mental health got worse. He went through times where he stayed home a lot and struggled with unhealthy habits. He made a comeback with the album The Beach Boys Love You (1977), which was mostly his own work. In the 1980s, he started a solo career with the album Brian Wilson (1988). From 1999 to 2022, Wilson toured often as a solo artist.

Wilson's work helped people see popular music as a form of art. He is seen as an important figure in many types of music, like the California sound, art pop, and psychedelic rock. Since the 1980s, his music has influenced many other styles. He won many awards, including two Grammy Awards and Kennedy Center Honors. He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2000. A movie about his life, Love and Mercy, was made in 2014.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Brian Douglas Wilson was born on June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California. He was the first son of Audree and Murry Wilson. His father, Murry, was a machinist who also wrote songs sometimes. Brian had two younger brothers, Dennis and Carl, who were also musical. Soon after Dennis was born, the family moved to Hawthorne, California. Brian and his brothers had a difficult childhood because their father was very strict and demanding, especially about music.

From a very young age, Brian was good at learning music just by hearing it. His father noticed that Brian could copy melodies easily. Murry pushed his sons to develop their musical talents. Brian took accordion lessons for a short time. When he was seven or eight, he sang solos in church. His choir director said he had perfect pitch, which means he could recognize musical notes perfectly. Brian loved listening to music on the radio. His brother Carl introduced him to R&B music.

When Brian was nine, he rewrote the words to the song "Oh! Susannah" by Stephen Foster. When he was 12, his family got a piano. He taught himself to play by spending hours learning his favorite songs. He learned to write music notes from a friend of his father. Brian sang with friends at school and at home. He taught his brothers how to sing harmony parts, and they practiced together. He would listen to songs by the Four Freshmen on a record player and then figure out the harmonies on the piano.

In high school, Brian played quarterback on the football team and ran cross-country. When he was 15, he had a part-time job sweeping at a jewelry store. For his 16th birthday, he got a tape recorder. This allowed him to try recording songs and group vocals. He often sang with his friends around the piano.

In an essay for school in 1959, Brian wrote that he wanted to "make a name for myself [...] in music." He performed with his cousin Mike Love at a school event. To get his brother Carl to join, he named their group "Carl and the Passions." They sang songs by popular groups and impressed a classmate named Al Jardine.

In 1960, Brian went to El Camino College to study psychology, but he also studied music. He left college after about 18 months because he was disappointed that his teachers didn't like pop music. He said he wrote his first original melody, "Surfer Girl", in 1961.

Career Highlights

1961–1966: The Beach Boys Become Stars

In 1961, the Wilson brothers, Mike Love, and Al Jardine started their first band, called "the Pendletones." Brian and Love wrote the group's first song, "Surfin'". Brian's father, Murry, became their manager. "Surfin'" became a hit in Los Angeles. The record company changed the band's name to the Beach Boys. Their first big live show was on New Year's Eve, 1961. Brian learned to play the electric bass guitar quickly. When their first record label had money problems, Murry ended their contract. Brian then worked with Gary Usher to make demo recordings of new songs, including "409" and "Surfin' Safari". Capitol Records released these songs, and they became national hits.

In 1962, the Beach Boys signed a contract with Capitol Records. Brian wanted the band to record in better studios than the ones Capitol offered. He convinced Capitol to let the Beach Boys pay for their own recording sessions outside the label's studios. He also got control over how their albums were produced, even though he wasn't always credited for it at first.

Brian admired producer Phil Spector and wanted to be like him. He worked with songwriter Gary Usher to write songs and produce records for other local musicians, but they didn't have much success. His father's interference caused problems with Usher. By mid-1962, Brian was writing songs with Roger Christian and Bob Norberg. In October 1962, a record by Bob & Sheri called "The Surfer Moon" was the first to credit Brian as producer.

From January to March 1963, Brian produced the Beach Boys' second album, Surfin' U.S.A.. He spent most of his time in the studio and didn't perform live as much. In March, the song "Surfin' U.S.A." became the Beach Boys' first top-ten hit. The album also did very well, making the Beach Boys a major band. Brian also worked with other artists, like Jan and Dean. He co-wrote their song "Surf City", which became his first number-one hit in July 1963. This upset Capitol Records and his father, but Brian continued to collaborate with others.

Around this time, Brian started producing a girl group called the Honeys. One of the members was Marilyn Rovell, whom he would later marry. He tried to make them as successful as Phil Spector's groups, but their records didn't sell well.

Brian was first officially credited as the Beach Boys' producer on their album Surfer Girl (1963). This album and its singles were very successful. He also produced Little Deuce Coupe shortly after. He had to return to touring with the band when David Marks left. By the end of 1963, Brian had written, arranged, or produced 42 songs for other artists. In 1964, he toured internationally with the Beach Boys while also writing and producing three more albums for them. After a stressful tour in early 1964, the group fired Murry as their manager.

In February 1964, The Beatles became hugely popular in the U.S. This worried Brian, who felt the Beach Boys' success was threatened. The Beach Boys' song "I Get Around" (May 1964) was their first U.S. number-one hit and was seen as a response to the British Invasion. By late 1964, Brian was feeling a lot of pressure. He started to move away from surf-themed songs.

On December 23, 1964, during a flight to a tour, Brian had a period of intense stress and anxiety. He played the show that day but was then replaced by Glen Campbell for the rest of the tour. Brian decided to stop touring regularly so he could focus on writing and producing music. He said this was partly because he felt jealous of Phil Spector and the Beatles. Bruce Johnston was later hired as his permanent touring replacement.

With the band often on tour, Brian spent more time with new friends in the music industry. This was a time of more independence for him. He began to experiment with new things that influenced his music, like the song "Please Let Me Wonder" (1965). These new influences also caused some tension in his marriage to Marilyn.

Throughout 1965, Brian's music became more complex with the albums The Beach Boys Today! and Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!). After moving to a new home in Beverly Hills in late 1965, he felt a burst of creativity. He planned an album that would take his music to a "spiritual level."

In December 1965, Brian started working with lyricist Tony Asher on the Beach Boys' next album, Pet Sounds (May 1966). He produced most of the album between January and April 1966. He mainly used session musicians for the instrumental parts and his bandmates for the vocals. He considered the instrumental "Let's Go Away for Awhile" his "most satisfying piece of music" at the time. He called "Caroline, No" "probably the best [song] I've ever written."

The album's first single, "Caroline, No," was released under Brian's name alone. This made some people wonder if he was leaving the Beach Boys. The single reached number 32, and Pet Sounds reached number 10. Brian was very disappointed that the album wasn't a number-one hit.

Brian hired Derek Taylor, who had worked with the Beatles, to promote him as a "genius." This helped the album get good reviews in the UK. However, Brian later said he didn't like the "genius" label because it created too much pressure. Some bandmates also became frustrated that the media focused so much on Brian.

In late 1966, Brian worked hard on the Beach Boys' single "Good Vibrations", which became a number-one hit. He then started working with Van Dyke Parks on Smile, which was planned as the next album after Pet Sounds. Brian called Smile a "teenage symphony to God."

1967–1973: Changes and Less Activity

The Smile album was never finished at that time. This was largely because Brian's mental health was getting worse, and he was exhausted. Some people say that his behavior became unpredictable around late 1966. In April 1967, Brian and his wife moved to a new house in Bel Air, where he started building his own home studio.

In May 1967, it was announced that Smile had been "scrapped." Brian later said he stopped working on it because he was trying too hard and felt overwhelmed. The Beach Boys released the song "Heroes and Villains" as a single in July. It didn't do as well as expected, which made Brian feel even worse.

Starting with the album Smiley Smile (September 1967), the band recorded mostly at Brian's home studio. This album was the first where the whole group was credited as producers, not just Brian. This was partly because Brian didn't want to be the only one responsible if the record wasn't a hit.

During the making of Wild Honey (December 1967), Brian encouraged his brother Carl to take a bigger role in making records. He also produced some songs for a group called Redwood (later Three Dog Night), but Carl and Mike Love asked him to focus on the Beach Boys. The band's 1968 album Friends was made when Brian was feeling a bit better. He later said Friends was his favorite Beach Boys album.

For the rest of 1968, Brian wrote fewer songs, and his emotional state declined. He struggled with unhealthy habits. The Beach Boys were also having money problems. In mid-1968, Brian was admitted to a psychiatric hospital for a time. When he was released, he rarely finished songs for the band, and Carl often had to complete them.

Brian often stayed in his room while the band recorded downstairs. He would sometimes come out to share new song ideas. Mike Love said Brian lost interest in the technical side of recording. However, engineer Stephen Desper said Brian was still involved indirectly through Carl. Dennis Wilson, on the other hand, said Brian had almost no involvement with the band starting with the 20/20 sessions.

In early 1969, the Beach Boys started recording Sunflower (August 1970). Brian contributed songs, but many were not used. He co-wrote and produced the single "Break Away" with his father. After that, he mostly stayed away from the studio until August. In August 1969, the Beach Boys' song publishing company, Sea of Tunes, was sold. Brian was pressured by his father to agree to the sale. Marilyn said this deeply upset him. During this time, Brian struggled a lot emotionally. He wrote the song "'Til I Die" about how he felt.

Brian was disappointed that Sunflower didn't sell well, so he contributed less to later Beach Boys albums. Bruce Johnston said Brian was like "a visitor" during the Surf's Up sessions (August 1971). In November 1970, Brian performed with the band for a couple of shows but had to leave mid-performance during the second show because he felt unwell.

From late 1971 to early 1972, Brian worked with musician David Sandler on an album for American Spring, a group formed by Marilyn Wilson and Diane Rovell. This was his most involved production effort since 1968. During the recording of Carl and the Passions (April 1972), Brian rarely left his bedroom.

In the summer of 1972, Brian joined the band when they moved to Holland for a while. He was inspired to write a fairy tale called Mount Vernon and Fairway. The group released it as a bonus EP with their album Holland (January 1973).

1973–1975: A Time of Withdrawal

After his father died in June 1973, Brian spent most of his time alone in his home. He slept a lot, struggled with unhealthy habits, and overate. He rarely went outside. His family had to take control of his money because he was spending it irresponsibly.

From 1974 to 1975, Brian recorded very little music because he found it hard to concentrate. He spent many nights at the house of his friend Danny Hutton, with other musicians like Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop. In 1974, Brian famously jumped on stage during a Larry Coryell concert at The Troubadour and sang "Be-Bop-A-Lula" wearing slippers and a bathrobe.

The Beach Boys' greatest hits album Endless Summer was a surprise hit in 1974. Brian agreed to join the band in Colorado to record a new album, but the project was mostly abandoned. They did release one song, "Child of Winter (Christmas Song)", which was credited as "Produced by Brian Wilson," the first time since 1966.

In early 1975, Brian signed a production deal with Equinox Records, run by Bruce Johnston and Terry Melcher. They formed a group called California Music. Brian produced their single "Why Do Fools Fall in Love". This was one of his few serious music projects during this period.

1982–1991: Getting Help and Solo Work

In 1982, after a serious health crisis, Brian's family and management convinced him to get help again from psychologist Dr. Eugene Landy. Landy was given complete control over Brian's life and promised to help him get better.

Brian was taken to Hawaii, where he was isolated and put on a strict diet and health plan. This helped improve his physical health. By March 1983, he returned to Los Angeles and lived in a Malibu home with Landy's aides, cut off from many friends and family.

Landy charged a lot of money for his services. He also became Brian's creative and financial partner. Some people accused Landy of controlling Brian too much, but Brian said he was in charge. As Brian got better, he helped record the album The Beach Boys (June 1985). He then focused on a solo career with Landy's guidance. One of his songs, "Let's Go to Heaven in My Car", appeared in the movie Police Academy 3 (1986).

In January 1987, Brian signed a solo contract with Sire Records. His first solo album, Brian Wilson, was released in July 1988. It received good reviews. However, its release was overshadowed by controversy about Landy and the success of the Beach Boys' song "Kokomo", which Brian was not involved in.

In 1989, Brian and Landy formed a company called Brains and Genius. They worked on Brian's second solo album, Sweet Insanity, but Sire Records rejected it. In October 1991, Brian published his first book, Wouldn't It Be Nice: My Own Story. After a legal case filed by his family, Brian's partnership with Landy ended in December 1991.

1992–2009: Career Rebirth and Touring

In the 1990s, Brian was involved in several legal disagreements. In April 1992, he received a $10 million settlement for song publishing rights. He also had disagreements with Mike Love over royalties.

Brian became much more productive after his connection with Landy ended. He worked with Andy Paley on many songs. He also worked with musician Don Was on a documentary called Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times (1995). The soundtrack for the documentary became his second solo album.

In 1993, Brian recorded an album with Van Dyke Parks called Orange Crate Art (1995). In the late 1990s, he wrote songs with Tony Asher again. One of their songs, "Everything I Need," appeared on an album by his daughters Carnie and Wendy, called The Wilsons (1997).

Brian co-produced the Beach Boys' 1996 album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 with Joe Thomas. In 1997, Brian moved to St. Charles, Illinois, to work on a solo project with Thomas. His third solo album, Imagination (June 1998), received mixed reviews. Shortly before its release, Brian's brother Carl and their mother Audree passed away.

From March to July 1999, Brian went on his first solo tour. His band included musicians like Jeff Foskett and members of the group Wondermints. He said he felt much more comfortable on stage with his new band.

In 2000, he released his first live album, Live at the Roxy Theatre. He then toured, performing the entire Pet Sounds album live with an orchestra. In March 2001, Brian attended a tribute show in his honor in New York.

The Pet Sounds tour continued in Europe in 2002. Recordings from these shows were released as the live album Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds Live (June 2002). His fourth solo album, Gettin' In over My Head, was released in June 2004. It featured guest appearances from Parks, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, and Elton John.

Brian then decided to perform songs from the unfinished Smile album. Brian Wilson Presents Smile (BWPS) premiered in London in February 2004. A studio album version was released in September and was a big success, reaching number 13 on the charts. It was later certified platinum.

In support of BWPS, Brian toured the U.S., Europe, and Japan. In July 2005, he performed at the Live 8 concert in Berlin. In October 2005, Arista Records released Brian's Christmas album, What I Really Want for Christmas. He toured Pet Sounds again briefly in 2006 with Al Jardine. In 2008, he released That Lucky Old Sun, a conceptual album about California.

In 2009, Walt Disney Records asked Brian to record an album of Disney songs. He agreed, if he could also record an album of George Gershwin songs. Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin was released in August 2010 and was very successful. In October 2011, he released In the Key of Disney.

2010–2025: Later Albums and Final Shows

In mid-2011, Brian reunited with Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks, and Bruce Johnston to re-record "Do It Again" for a possible 50th-anniversary album. Brian eventually agreed to a tour, which lasted until September 2012, and to record the album That's Why God Made the Radio (June 2012).

In June 2013, Brian announced he was recording new material with Don Was, Al Jardine, David Marks, Blondie Chaplin, and Jeff Beck. In September 2014, Brian attended the premiere of the movie Love & Mercy, a film about his life. He contributed the song "One Kind of Love" to the film.

His album No Pier Pressure was released in April 2015. It featured guest appearances from Jardine, Marks, Chaplin, and others. The album reached the U.S. top 30 but had mixed reviews.

In March 2016, Brian and Al Jardine began the Pet Sounds 50th Anniversary World Tour, which was described as his final performances of that album. In October, his second book, I Am Brian Wilson, was published. In the late 2010s, Brian had two back surgeries and started using a walker. In 2019, he postponed some concerts due to his mental health but resumed touring later.

He paused touring during the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in August 2021. In November 2021, he released At My Piano, an album of instrumental piano versions of his songs, and the soundtrack to the documentary Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road.

On July 26, 2022, Brian played his final concert in Clarkston, Michigan. He later canceled his remaining tour dates for that year due to health reasons. In January 2023, his daughter Carnie said he would probably not tour anymore.

On January 30, 2024, his wife Melinda Ledbetter passed away. The following month, it was announced that Brian had dementia and entered into a conservatorship, meaning others would help manage his affairs.

An unfinished album Brian produced in 1970, Cows in the Pasture, is planned for release in 2025.

Musical Influences

Who Inspired Brian's Music?

Brian Wilson's unique musical style came from many places. He loved rock and roll, doo-wop, and vocal jazz. When he was only two years old, he heard George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. He said this piece of music stayed with him his whole life. As a child, he also liked artists such as Roy Rogers, Elvis Presley, and Rosemary Clooney.

A big influence on Brian was the vocal group the Four Freshmen. He loved their harmonies and learned how to sing high notes by listening to them. He said their album Voices in Love (1958) was "probably the greatest single vocal album I've ever heard". He also liked Chuck Berry for his rhythm and lyrics, and the Everly Brothers.

Brian didn't actually like surf music much. He wanted to create something new, mixing the style of Gershwin with the best of The Four Freshmen.

Spector and Bacharach

Producer Phil Spector was a huge influence on Brian. Brian admired Spector's way of making songs sound enormous and spacious, with great drum sounds. When Brian heard the Ronettes' song "Be My Baby" in 1963, he thought it was the greatest record ever. Spector and Brian became friends, and Brian often watched Spector work in the studio.

Another important influence was songwriter Burt Bacharach. Brian said Bacharach's music "got me going in a direction." He loved Bacharach's unique chords and melodies. Some of Brian's songs that show Bacharach's influence include "She Knows Me Too Well" and "Let's Go Away for Awhile".

Other Inspirations

Other music that inspired Brian included Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, the Motown sound, and Disney movie soundtracks like Mary Poppins. He also liked soul singers like Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder.

Many people say The Beach Boys and The Beatles influenced each other. Brian said he felt challenged by The Beatles' success, and it pushed him to try to make even better music. He especially admired Paul McCartney's bass playing.

How Brian Made Music

His Songwriting Style

Brian usually started writing a song by finding a basic chord pattern and rhythm. He called these "feels" or "brief note sequences." He wanted to write songs that sounded simple, even if they were actually very complex.

Brian often used jazz chords in his songs. He also used chord inversions (where the notes of a chord are rearranged) and key changes to make his music interesting. Sometimes, he would have sudden breaks in a song where only voices sang, without instruments. This was something he learned from The Four Freshmen.

Many of Brian's songs have surprising chord changes and melodies. His bass parts were often very melodic and important to the song. He also used chromaticism (notes outside the main key) to add color to his music.

Lyrics and Themes

Brian usually worked with someone else to write the lyrics for his songs, but sometimes he wrote both the words and music himself. Many of his songs are about his own feelings and experiences. Common themes in his songs include youth, innocence, and everyday life. Even though The Beach Boys were known for surf songs, Brian's songs with other writers usually didn't talk about surfing.

In the Studio

Brian said he learned a lot about producing records from Phil Spector. He often used the same studios and session musicians as Spector, who were known as the Wrecking Crew. Brian would figure out about one-third of a song's arrangement when he was writing it, and the rest would be developed in the studio.

Brian's favorite studio was Studio 3 at Western in Hollywood. His main engineer there was Chuck Britz. Brian would tell the musicians what to play using an intercom or hand signals. He would work with them for hours until he got the sound he wanted.

Brian started using the Wrecking Crew for some Beach Boys records in 1963. By 1965, he relied on them more and more, especially for complex arrangements. For Pet Sounds and Smile, he used them for most of the instrumental tracks. The musicians in the Wrecking Crew were very skilled and admired Brian's talent.

His Production Sound

Brian's famous productions often used instruments like saxophones and bass harmonicas. He usually had the drummer play simple, strong beats, similar to Phil Spector's records. He also liked to combine different instrument sounds to create new ones. He learned from Spector to record with two echo chambers at the same time.

He first used a string section in 1963. Starting with the song "Surfin' U.S.A.", he would often double-track the vocals (record them twice) to make them sound fuller.

Starting in 1964, Brian began to edit tape recordings to put different parts of songs together. This was especially important for complex songs like "Good Vibrations" and the Smile project. He would record a song in several sections and then cut the tapes together.

After he stopped touring regularly in 1964, Brian tried to use everything he learned from Phil Spector to make his music even bigger and better. He aimed for a clear, rich sound.

His Singing Voice

Brian's singing style was influenced by The Four Freshmen. He had a versatile head voice that allowed him to sing very high notes without using falsetto (a very high, light voice), though he did use falsetto on some songs. He also learned to sing with feeling by listening to singers like Rosemary Clooney.

Brian's highest note was D5 (a very high D) in 1966. In his early career, he had a clear tenor voice. Later in life, his voice became lower and rougher, partly due to years of smoking.

Mental Health Challenges

Facing Difficult Times

Brian Wilson was diagnosed with serious mental health conditions. From 1965 onwards, he often experienced auditory hallucinations, meaning he heard voices that weren't really there. He sometimes called these voices "heroes and villains."

It was sometimes hard for his family and friends to know if Brian's behavior was due to his mental health struggles or other reasons. After he had a period of intense stress on a flight in 1964, his wife Marilyn arranged for him to see a psychiatrist. At the time, doctors thought his condition was due to tiredness from work. Brian often refused counseling. His family sometimes thought his unusual behavior was due to his personality or unhealthy habits.

His hallucinations started in early 1965. Mike Love noticed changes in Brian's behavior around that time. Brian's use of substances that affected his thinking was initially hidden from his bandmates and family.

As Brian's condition got worse, he sometimes had paranoid delusions (believing things that weren't true). By 1968, after his first child was born, Marilyn became more worried about his mental health. Brian was hospitalized later that year and given medication for severe anxiety disorder. He may have received different kinds of treatments during this time.

Later Years and Support

In the late 1980s, Brian developed facial tics from some of the medications he was taking.

Brian's mental condition improved in his later years, but he continued to experience auditory hallucinations, especially when performing. He said that his relationship with his second wife, Melinda, helped him return to his music career. He mentioned that the early 2000s were still very difficult for him. In 2002, he said that successful treatment sometimes made it harder for him to be creative.

Personal Life

Deafness in Right Ear

When Brian was 11, it was discovered that he couldn't hear well in his right ear. This was because of a nerve problem. The exact cause is not known. Because of this, Brian got into the habit of speaking out of the side of his mouth. He also had tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Surgery to fix his hearing was not successful.

Relationships and Children

Brian's first serious girlfriend was Judy Bowles. They were engaged but later separated. He then became involved with Marilyn Rovell, a singer from the group The Honeys.

Brian and Marilyn got married in December 1964. They had two daughters, Carnie and Wendy. Carnie and Wendy later became famous as part of the group Wilson Phillips. Brian's songs "Roller Skating Child" (1977) and "Little Children" (1988) were inspired by his daughters.

Brian and Marilyn's marriage had difficulties, and they separated in 1978. They divorced in 1979. Marilyn got custody of their children and half of Brian's songwriting royalties.

Brian later dated Melinda Kae Ledbetter from 1986 to 1989. They reconnected after 1991 and got married on February 6, 1995. Melinda became Brian's manager. They adopted five children. Melinda passed away on January 30, 2024. Brian said she was his "savior" and gave him the support he needed to have a career.

Spirituality

Brian was raised in a Presbyterian family. He often said that his music, especially Pet Sounds, had a spiritual quality. He was also interested in astrology and other mystical ideas. In 1966, he said he believed music "starts with religion" and that there was a "higher being."

In the late 1960s, Brian and his bandmates promoted Transcendental Meditation (TM). He later stopped practicing TM. In 2011, he said he had spiritual beliefs but didn't follow a specific religion.

Death

In 2024, it was revealed that Wilson was suffering from dementia after the death of his wife, Melinda. After this, he was placed in a conservatorship, with his long-time publicist Jean Sievers, and his manager, LeeAnn Hard, helping to manage his affairs. His death at the age of 82 was announced on June 11, 2025. His family did not state a cause of death.

Cultural Impact and Influence

How Brian Wilson Changed Music

Brian Wilson wrote or co-wrote many hit songs for The Beach Boys, including "I Get Around," "Help Me, Rhonda," and "Good Vibrations." He also wrote hits for other artists like Jan and Dean ("Surf City").

Wilson is seen as one of the most creative and important songwriters of his time. Composers like Philip Glass and Burt Bacharach have praised his work. Bacharach called Wilson "one of the greatest innovators" in music history.

Brian Wilson was one of the first pop artists to have complete creative control over his music. He wrote, arranged, produced, and performed his own songs. This was very unusual at the time and changed how the music industry saw artists. He also helped popularize the idea of using the recording studio as an instrument itself.

Beatles producer George Martin said that Brian Wilson had a big impact on The Beatles and challenged them musically. Many other musicians, like Jimmy Webb and David Crosby, have praised Brian's talent. His work as a producer influenced many others and allowed more artists to produce their own music.

The 1967 documentary Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution called Wilson "one of today's most important pop musicians." Many famous musicians, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Elton John, have said they admire Wilson's work or were influenced by him.

Art Pop, Psychedelia, and Progressive Music

Brian Wilson helped create the art pop movement in the mid-1960s. With albums like Pet Sounds, he was seen as a leader in art rock. He mixed artistic ideas with popular music. Some people have compared his work to pop art figures like Andy Warhol.

The Beach Boys, under Brian's leadership, also helped develop psychedelic music. His creative work allowed psychedelic artists to try new sounds and ideas. Wilson's music also helped start progressive pop, a type of pop music with complex and unusual ideas. Bands like Queen and Electric Light Orchestra were influenced by his 1960s productions.

Naïve Art and Outsider Music

Part of Brian Wilson's appeal was the seeming innocence and honesty in his work and personality. Even though The Beach Boys' early songs could seem simple or "corny," Brian was very serious about them. This sincerity connected with listeners.

By the mid-1970s, Brian Wilson became known as one of rock music's most famous "mythical casualties," meaning someone whose struggles became part of their legend. He is also sometimes considered an outsider musician because of his personal struggles and unique songwriting.

Alternative Music and Lasting Impact

Brian Wilson has been called the "godfather" of punk, indie rock, and emo. His early music influenced punk bands like The Ramones. His vulnerability and complex music also inspired post-punk bands like R.E.M. and the Pixies.

Later, Wilson was credited with inspiring a new generation of musicians who made independently produced music with strong melodies and creative recording techniques. This includes genres like dream pop and chamber pop. Many bands in the 1980s and 1990s, like Barenaked Ladies (who had a hit song called "Brian Wilson"), celebrated his music.

Musicians in Japan, part of the Shibuya-kei (渋谷系) scene, also looked up to Wilson. In 2000, an album called Caroline Now! featured various artists covering his songs.

More recently, artists like Panda Bear and genres like chillwave have been linked to Wilson's influence. His music continues to inspire modern dream pop acts. In 2022, the duo She & Him released an album of his songs called Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson.

Authorized documentary films

• Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times (1995): Directed by Don Was, this film features interviews with Wilson and other musicians talking about his life and music.
• Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile (2004): Directed by David Leaf, this film focuses on the story of the Smile album.
• Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road (2021): Directed by Brent Wilson, this film looks at the last two decades of Wilson's life, with appearances by many famous musicians.

Accolades

Awards and honors

• Nine-time Grammy Award nominee, two-time winner.

Organizations	Year	Award	Result
Grammy Awards	2005	Best Rock Instrumental Performance for "Mrs. O'Leary's Cow"	Won
	2013	Best Historical Album for The Smile Sessions	Won
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame	1988	As a member of the Beach Boys	Honored
Primetime Emmy Award	1996	Outstanding Cultural Music-Dance Program for Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made For These Times	Nominated
Songwriters Hall of Fame	2000	inducted by Paul McCartney	Honored
Ivor Novello International Award	2003	For his contributions to popular music	Honored
Northeastern University	2003	Honorary doctorate of music	Honored
Broadcast Music Incorporated	2004	BMI Icon Awards	Honored
MusiCares Person of the Year	2005	for his artistic and philanthropic accomplishments	Honored
UK Music Hall of Fame	2006	Inducted by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour	Honored
Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame	2007	Induction	Honored
Kennedy Center Honors	2007	Medal	Honored
American Academy of Achievement	2008	Golden Plate Award	Honored
UCLA	2011	George and Ira Gershwin Award at UCLA Spring Sing	Honored
Golden Globe Award	2015	Best Original Song for "One Kind of Love" from Love & Mercy	Nominated

Polls and critics' rankings

Organizations	Year	Notes
NME's	1966	Wilson was ranked number four in "World Music Personality" reader's poll.
Rolling Stone's	2008	Wilson was ranked number 52 in list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".
NME	2012	Wilson was ranked number eight in list of the "50 Greatest Producers Ever".
Rolling Stone	2015	Wilson was ranked number 12 in the list of the "100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time".
Rolling Stone	2020	Brian Wilson Presents Smile was ranked number 399 on the list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time".
Ultimate Classic Rock	2022	Wilson was ranked second in the list of the best producers in rock history.
Rolling Stone	2023	Wilson was ranked number 57 in the list of the "200 Greatest Singers of All Time".

Discography

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Brian Wilson para niños

• Pet Projects: The Brian Wilson Productions
• Playback: The Brian Wilson Anthology
• List of people with absolute pitch
• List of people with bipolar disorder
• List of recluses
• List of unreleased songs recorded by the Beach Boys