Brian Wilson, the lead singer, composer and front man of the Beach Boys, has died aged 82, his family have announced.
In a statement shared online, they said they were “heartbroken” by his death and requested privacy.
Tributes from fans and musicians saw him described as an icon, a genius and a pioneer.
Born and raised in California, the musician brought surf-rock to the world with songs like I Get Around, Surfin’ USA and Good Vibrations.
Below is a selection of images from his life.
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Brian Wilson (centre) encouraged his brothers to sing the complex harmonies he had created while growing up. Here, they rehearse at home in Los Angeles in 1964
Wilson, second from the left, formed The Beach Boys in 1961. He roped in his brothers Dennis and Carl as well as their cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine. The group often performed in matching outfits at the start of their career
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This image of the band carrying a surfboard featured on their album Surfer Girl
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Brian Wilson married Marilyn Rovell in 1964. A singer for the all-female group The Honeys, Rovell divorced Wilson in 1981 following his widely documented struggles with drug use. He later married Melinda Ledbetter, who died in 2024
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The success of the band was global – they sold some 100 million records in their career, according to their website. With this acclaim came tours. Here they jump for joy in Paris, 1964
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The album Pet Sounds is one of the group’s most loved and most highly acclaimed, featuring songs including Wouldn’t It Be Nice and God Only Knows. Wilson was the primary composer. He is pictured here directly behind the microphone, recording the album in 1966. He was just 22
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In a 1968 photoshoot, Wilson wore a suit and tucked a napkin into his shirt to ‘eat’ various items, including a record and a shoe
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Brian Wilson played a coveted slot on Glastonbury Festival’s famous Pyramid Stage in 2005
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Wilson’s musicality is and was among the most lauded in the world. Sir Paul McCartney named Pet Sounds his favourite album. Here the pair are pictured at a benefit concert in 2016
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