Hall of Fame artist and founder of the California band the Beach Boys,  Brian Wilson died June 11 less than two weeks before his 83rd birthday.  No details of Wilson’s death were given. 

Wilson died just a couple of days before his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  His band The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

Wilson’s achievements also include two Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, is a member of the UK Music Hall of Fame, and a Kennedy Center Honor.

Formed in the 1960’s, the core of The Beach Boys was Wilson and his brothers Carl and Dennis; Mike Love, Al Jardine, and Bruce Johnston were also members of the The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million albums around the world.

A tall shy man, Brian Douglas Wilson was born June 20, 1942 in Inglewood, California.  The oldest of the Wilson brothers, Brian was soon teaching his brothers the fine art of harmony and playing the piano.

When the lads first decided to make a go of the music business, they wanted to call themselves the Pendletones – named for the flannel shirts they wore – but the record company named them The Beach Boys.  In the early days, the Wilson boys’ dad Murry was their manager, but after a few years, Brian took over and The Beach Boys became the first band to produce their own music.

Despite the numerous hit songs penned by Wilson about the surf culture, none of The Beach Boys were actually surfers.

While a musical success that earned him a number of awards, Wilson also suffered with mental illness issues that eventually led to cousin Mike Love getting possession of the band’s name and ended with Wilson in a conservatorship.

Predeceased by his second wife Melinda Ledbetter, Wilson is survived by his children Carnie, Wendy, Daria, Delanie, Dakota, Dylan, and Dash.

Brian Wilson discography:
“Brian Wilson”
“I Just Wasn’t Made for These Times”
“Orange Crate Art”
“Imagination”
“Live at the Roxy Theatre”
“Pet Sounds Live”
“Getting’ in Over My Head”
“Smile”
“What I Really Want for Christmas”
“That Lucky Old Sun”
“Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin”
“In the Key of Disney”
“No Pier Pressure”
“Brian Wilson and Friends”
“At My Piano”
“Surfin’ Safari”
“Surfin’ U.S.A.”
“Surfer Girl”
“Little Duece Coupe”
“Shut Down, Vol. 2”
“All Summer Long”
“Beach Boys Concert”
“The Beach Bos Christmas Album”
“Today”
“Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)”
“Beach Boys’ Party!”
“Pet Sounds”