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Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys founder and lead songwriter, has died, his family confirmed on social media. He was 82.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” they wrote. “We are at a loss for words right now.”
They added, “Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.”
BEACH BOYS’ BRIAN WILSON PLACED IN CONSERVATORSHIP FOLLOWING DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS
Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson died at the age of 82. (Getty Images)
Circumstances surrounding his death were not immediately provided.
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The Beach Boys began with Brian and his two brothers, Carl and Dennis. Eventually, they were joined by their cousin, Mike Love, and a friend from school, Al Jardine. The band is one of the most commercially successful groups of all time, selling over 100 million records worldwide. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
In January 1963, The Beach Boys recorded their first top-10 single, “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” which began their long run of highly successful recording efforts.
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They released “Summer Days (and Summer Nights!!)” in 1965, which included “California Girls” and “Help Me, Rhonda.” The following year, they released the critically acclaimed “Pet Sounds” album.
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“I love the whole ‘Pet Sounds’ record,” Wilson said. “I got a full vision out of it in the studio. After that, I said to myself that I had completed the greatest album I will ever produce. I knew it. It was a spiritual record. I wanted to grow musically, to expand our horizons and do something that people would love, and I did it.”
The Beach Boys formed in 1961, and became one of the most commercially successful bands of all time. (Robin Platzer/Getty Images)
The Beach Boys rose to fame in the ’60s with hits such as “God Only Knows” and “Good Vibrations.” (Michael Ochs)
Last year, Wilson was placed under a conservatorship following a dementia diagnosis.
The diagnosis, coupled with the death of Brian’s wife, Melinda Wilson, led his family and doctors to make the decision.
“Following the passing of Brian’s beloved wife Melinda, after careful consideration and consultation among Brian, his seven children, Gloria Ramos and Brian’s doctors (and consistent with family processes put in place by Brian and Melinda), we are confirming that longtime Wilson family representatives LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian’s co-conservators of the person,” the family said in a statement to Fox News Digital at the time.
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“This decision was made to ensure that there will be no extreme changes to the household and Brian and the children living at home will be taken care of and remain in the home where they are cared for by Gloria Ramos and the wonderful team at the house who have been in place for many years helping take care of the family,” the statement continued. “Brian will be able to enjoy all of his family and friends and continue to work on current projects as well as participate in any activities he chooses.”
Wilson was born in Inglewood, California, and played with The Beach Boys for more than 60 years. (Getty Images)
According to a doctor’s declaration submitted to the court, Wilson was unable to self-administer his own medication or adhere to his medication scheduling. He also struggled with his ability to control his mood or emotions.
Wilson was previously placed under a conservatorship in the ’90s after being involved with psychologist Eugene Landy.
Landy became a live-in psychologist and business partner. Family members said Landy over-medicated Wilson based on a paranoid schizophrenic diagnosis. This, along with other worrisome issues, caused a conservatorship request by the family to separate Wilson from the troubling doctor.
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