Brian Wilson built a sizable net worth after decades in the music business and several top-10 hits with The Beach Boys during his career.

Two "Pet Sounds" highlights, the former featuring envelope-pushing instrumentation and production and the latter, a deceptively complex harmonic structure as well as lyrics that were, at that point, taboo for a pop song because of the repeated references to God. The Beatles' Paul McCartney named "God Only Knows" his favorite song of all time.

He was 82. "We are heartbroken to announced that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away," the family wrote on his X account, Instagram and website. "We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family grieving.

Despite singing about surfing and being endlessly labelled as a surf band, the Beach Boys didn't actually sound anything like other surf rockers like Dick Dale or the Ventures. Pet Sounds ' instrumental title track is the exception, with its twangy electric guitar and exotica rhythms apparently having been intended for a James Bond film.

Wilson of the Beach Boys wrote some of the 20th century’s best and most enduring pop songs. These are some of our favorites.