Brian Wilson, the founding member and creative force behind the Beach Boys, has died at 82, as announced by his family on his official website with no further details provided.
A key architect of the band’s signature sound and one of the primary contributors to their early hits—including Surfin’ USA, Surfer Girl, and California Girls—Wilson played a central role in propelling the group to national success after its formation in 1961 in Hawthorne, California, alongside his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine.
Dennis Wilson, the drummer and co-founder of The Beach Boys, tragically drowned in Marina del Rey, California on December 28, 1983. He had struggled with substance abuse, and just three days after checking out of rehab, he drowned while diving near his boat. His death was ruled as accidental.