NEWSFLASH: Brian Wilson has died

The breaking news is that Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson has died at the age of 82.

In an official statement on his website, his family say: “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away.

"We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time, as our family is grieving. We realise that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love and mercy."

The word "genius" is thrown around too cheaply, but that's the only way to describe Brian Douglas Wilson who helped change the face of popular music with The Beach Boys. From such classic early singles as 'Surfin' USA' and 'Little Deuce Coupe' to such revolutionary later albums as Pet Sounds and Smile (well, what was released from the shelved project), Wilson and his bandmates threw down the marker for others – including on occasion The Beatles – to follow. Indeed, Paul McCartney has publicly stated that 'God Only Knows' is his favourite song of all time.

As Smiths, Blur and Cranberries producer Stephen Street reflects this evening: "How much joy can one man bring to the world?"

His many Irish admirers include Whipping Boy man Paul Page who says: "Sad news Pet Sounds stands as one of the most innovative, influential albums in the history of pop music. A melodic masterpiece, crafted by a true genius."

There's the G-word again!

"He was our American Mozart," Sean Ono Lennon ventures and, yeah, he's probably right.

Forming in Hawthorne, California in 1961, The Beach Boys were one of the few US bands to not only weather the British Invasion, but also come out the other side a more potent creative force than ever. An avalanche of books and documentaries have been dedicated to what happened next, suffice it to say that drugs, dubious friendships, religion and record company difficulties all played their part in derailing the band.

Diagnosed as having schizoaffective disorder and mild bipolar disorder, Wilson's mental health had since the '60s been fragile but didn't stop him releasing some excellent solo albums, such as 2004's Gettin' In Over My Head and 2015's No Pier Pressure.

He also kept touring with a 2009 visit to Electric Picnic for a main stage performance lingering long in the memory.

Despite his health difficulties, Brian treated Hot Press to some classic interviews like this one: https://www.hotpress.com/music/on-this-day-back-in-1963-the-beach-boys-released-surfer-girl-the-first-song-brian-wilson-ever-wrote-20393029

Here's a selection of the tributes that have been pouring in:

We are heartbroken to announced that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away.

We are at a loss for words right now.

Please respect our privacy at this time as our family grieving.

We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.

Love & Mercy pic.twitter.com/sIe7TUUdOm

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) June 11, 2025

Oh man RIP Brian Wilson 🙏….thank you for all the music! pic.twitter.com/wkLOJpO126

— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) June 11, 2025

Sleep well, Brian Wilson. God only know what we'll do without you. pic.twitter.com/pWI30ocwKs

— Tony Parsons (@TonyParsonsUK) June 11, 2025

Oh gee...We say goodbye to Brian Wilson.
I’ve know the Beach boys since the mid 60’s and have done lots of shows with them. They were the American answer to the Beatles. They wowed everyone with the songs, structures, vocals harmonies. The sunshine sound. I remember when Brian… pic.twitter.com/5zmjmGRcmY

— Randy Bachman (@RandysVinylTap) June 11, 2025

BRIAN WILSON HAS LEFT THE BEACH. A sad week just got sadder. Another hero, supplier of the sublime, an absolute giant/genius is gone. I shall cherish the SMILE show forever, Happy/sad spectacular songs and those tremendous arrangements will live on long after this.#BrianWilsonRIP

— Pete Wylie is WAH!🌟 (@petewylie) June 11, 2025

Anyone who really knows me knows how heart broken I am about Brian Wilson passing. Not many people influenced me as much as he did. I feel very lucky that I was able to meet him and spend some time with him. He was always very kind and generous. He was our American Mozart. A one… pic.twitter.com/OOT0eVwQJ7

— Seán Ono Lennon (@seanonolennon) June 11, 2025

Oh no Brian Wilson and Sly Stone in one week ~ my world is in mourning 🙏🙏so sad ❤️❤️xx pic.twitter.com/NXPfKzy7Ml

— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) June 11, 2025

To me, Brian Wilson was not merely about surf music, rather a true musical genius toiling away at melding POP into startling sophistication. He will he be missed mightily.
xx jc https://t.co/UQDhO4dEVD

— John Cale (@therealjohncale) June 11, 2025

His cherished music will live forever as he travels through the Universe and beyond. God bless you, sweet Brian.

One of the biggest thrills of my life was singing “California Girls” with Brian. pic.twitter.com/vSLaMLShUa

— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) June 11, 2025