In a heartfelt post on Wednesday via Facebook and X, Wilson’s family shared, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our cherished father, Brian Wilson.”
“We are at a loss for words at this moment,” they continued. “We ask that you respect our privacy during this time of mourning. We understand that we are experiencing this sorrow alongside the world. Love & Mercy.”
We are heartbroken to announced that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away.
We are at a loss for words right now.
Please respect our privacy at this time as our family grieving.
We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.
Love & Mercy pic.twitter.com/sIe7TUUdOm
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) June 11, 2025
Hailing from California from the beginning, Wilson was born in Inglewood in 1942 and, at the young age of 19, he established the Beach Boys with his brothers, Dennis and Carl Wilson.
Their debut album, “Surfin’ Safari,” was released in 1962 and was a huge hit, with summertime-themed songs, the New York Post noted.
Wilson was responsible for helping write and co-write some of those memorable, fun, catchy tunes from the 1960s group like “Good Vibrations,” “Surf City,” “Surfin’ USA,” California Girls,” “I Get Around,” just to name a few.
“That was a very complex record,” Wilson told People about “Good Vibrations” in 2018. “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!”
KTTV reported that:
From 1963-66, they were rarely off the charts, hitting No. 1 with “I Get Around” and “Help Me, Rhonda” and narrowly missing with “California Girls” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.” For television appearances, they wore candy-striped shirts and grinned as they mimed their latest hit, with a hot rod or surfboard nearby.
In 1964, the stress of the band’s popularity led Wilson to have a breakdown and retire from touring, KTTV noted. Years later, he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which involves hallucinations, depression, and paranoia, the Post noted.
He would briefly rejoin the band before embarking on a solo career, which spanned 11 solo albums. The final one came out in 2021. Throughout the 90s and early 2000s, Wilson also sang with the Beach Boys.
In 2014, a biopic was made about Brian’s story called “Love And Mercy.” It starred actor John Cusack and Paul Dano playing Brian at different parts of his life. The title also happened to be the title of the opening track of his debut album in 1988.
Following news of the singer/writer’s death, many in the music world paid tribute to him with touching posts on social media.
“The maestro has passed – the man was a open heart with two legs – with an ear that heard the angels. Quite literally. Love and Mercy for you and yours tonight. RIP Brian,” Cusack wrote. “Brian wrote down the lyrics of ‘Love and Mercy’ for me.”
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood wrote, “Oh no Brian Wilson and Sly Stone in one week ~ my world is in mourning. so sad.”
Oh no Brian Wilson and Sly Stone in one week ~ my world is in mourning 🙏🙏so sad ❤️❤️xx pic.twitter.com/NXPfKzy7Ml
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) June 11, 2025
The Monkees star Micky Dolenz wrote, “Brian Wilson was a musical and spiritual giant. His melodies shaped generations, & his soul resonated in every note. I was fortunate to know him; we all were blessed by his genius. Rest peacefully, Brian.”
Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood wrote on X: “Anyone with a musical bone in their body must be grateful for Brian Wilson’s genius magical touch !! And greatly saddened of this major worldly loss!! My thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
