Legendary American songwriter, producer, arranger, singer, and musician Brian Wilson has died, aged 82.<\/p>\n
Wilson’s family confirmed<\/a> the news on Wednesday (June 11).<\/p>\n “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” reads a statement posted to Instagram.<\/p>\n Their statement adds: “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.”<\/p>\n Born June 20, 1942, Wilson was the iconic creative force behind The Beach Boys, taking on multiple roles as composer, producer, vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist.<\/p>\n “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away.”<\/p>\n Statement published by wilson family on June 11<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Wilson’s innovative studio work and melodic sensibilities transformed pop music, arguably establishing him as one of the most influential figures in contemporary music history.<\/p>\n The Beach Boys formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California, consisting of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine.<\/p>\n Following the release and early success of singles\u00a0Surfin<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Surfin’ Safari,\u00a0<\/em>the band went on to sign to Capitol Records and achieved remarkable commercial success, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n Between the<\/span>\u00a01960s and today,\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0group had over 80 songs chart worldwide, 36 of them in\u00a0the<\/span> US Top 40,\u00a0and four topping\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n Wilson originated the classic California pop sound\u00a0through classic hits like Surfin’ U.S.A<\/em>., Surfer Girl,<\/em> I Get Around,<\/em> and California Girls.<\/em><\/p>\n Pet Sounds, <\/em>widely considered one of Wilson’s best creative works, featured mega hits like Wouldn’t It Be Nice<\/em> and God Only Knows.<\/em><\/p>\n It was released in 1966 and\u00a0ranked No.2 on Rolling Stone’<\/em>s<\/span>\u00a0list of\u00a0the<\/span> 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.<\/a><\/p>\n Wilson’s next project, Smile<\/em>, remained incomplete due to creative challenges and personal difficulties, though Wilson eventually finished it and released it<\/a> as a solo work in 2004.<\/p>\n Wilson’s honors include inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of the Beach Boys) the Songwriters Hall of Fame, two\u00a0Grammy Awards (as a solo artist)\u00a0and an Ivor Novello<\/a>.<\/p>\n