Brian Wilson, co-founder of acclaimed American group The Beach Boys and widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in history, has died aged 82.

His family shared the news in a post on his personal website and on social media, writing: “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away." He was revealed to be suffering from dementia in 2024.

His family added: "We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family grieves. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”

Wilson co-founded The Beach Boys in 1961 alongside his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. They became revered for their sound defined by a carefree sense of lust for life, singing about surfing, cars, and romantic love, influenced by their southern California upbringing.

After Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown in 1964, this changed to include more anxious, pessimistic, and neurotic themes, with drug-taking and marital problems contributing to these darker tones.

Over the years, their sound blended styles such as pop, rock, R&B, jazz, psychedelia, and classical in often complex arrangements.

Their discography includes classic albums such as ‘Surfin’ U.S.A.’, ‘Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)’ and ‘Pet Sounds’, as well as chart-topping singles like ‘I Get Around’, ‘Good Vibrations’ and ‘Help Me Rhonda’.

Wilson was the group’s songwriter, producer, co-lead vocalist, bassist, keyboardist, and notably the first pop musician to be credited for writing, arranging, producing, and performing his own material, having a major influence on pop music’s recognition as an art form.

He was inducted into the Songwriter Hall of Fame in 2000 by Paul McCartney, who called him "one of the great American geniuses", and received two GRAMMY Awards from nine nominations, among a career defined by acclaim and accolades.