The family of Beach Boys star Brian Wilson have announced his death aged 82.
Formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961, the original line-up of the American rock band included brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine.
Originally established as a garage band focused on Brian’s songwriting and managed by the Wilson’s father Murry, the Beach Boys had their first national hit in 1963 with the hit song Surfin’ USA.
Other notable hits to follow included Good Vibrations and California Girls.
Today Wilson’s family announced his death.
Sharing a photo of him sitting on a park bench in recent years, they wrote: ‘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 realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.’
Brian was the last surviving Wilson brother. In 1983 Dennis drowned aged 39 at Marina Del Rey after drinking all day and then diving in the ocean.
Then, in 1998, Carl died aged 51 from lung cancer.
The oldest of the three brothers, Wilson was born in 1942 in Inglewood, California.
However, their childhood was marred by their father’s abuse, with Brian regularly beaten and also becoming partially deaf as a child.
He also faced haunting voices in his head from schizoaffective disorder and had previously spoken about his struggles with substance abuse and mental illness throughout the years.
More to come…
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