Yet somehow, Wilson’s mind for music was truly oceanic, bringing deeply complicated melodies to gorgeously simple conclusions, repeatedly evoking the awesome power of surf crashing on a coastline.

Wesley Stenzel Wed, June 11, 2025 at 3:29 PM PDT 9 min read Harry Langdon/Getty The Beach Boys' Carl Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine in 1987 ...

In the late 60s, the Beach Boys were trying to navigate a major existential crisis as Brian Wilson, the band's leader, was trapped by his cocaine use and mental health issues. This led to the ...

Brian Wilson’s ambition took the Beach Boys into territory far beyond the simple pleasures of their early hits — transcendent, eccentric and destructive. They seemed to live out every fantasy ...

Born on June 20, 1942, Brian Wilson grew up in Hawthorne, California, a modest town next to the Los Angeles Airport. Brian was the eldest of three brothers; his younger brothers were Dennis and Carl.

Although Dennis was the only one of the Wilson boys who actually surfed, they named their new group the Beach Boys, and later, after they hit the big time, the band played homage to Dick Dale by ...

Brian Wilson was born in California in 1942. In his teens, he (along with brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine) started a band.

Harry Langdon/Getty The Beach Boys' Carl Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine in 1987 Scott Dudelson/Getty Brian Wilson in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, 2019 ...

Brian Wilson’s ambition took the Beach Boys into territory far beyond the simple pleasures of their early hits — transcendent, eccentric and destructive. They seemed to live out every fantasy ...

Brian Wilson’s ambition took the Beach Boys into territory far beyond the simple pleasures of their early hits — transcendent, eccentric and destructive. They seemed to live out every fantasy ...