Late Beach Boys Icon Brian Wilson Would Have Turned 84 Today
The late Brian Wilson would have celebrated his 84th birthday today.
The iconic co-founder of The Beach Boys, who died just over a year ago on June 11, 2025, at age 82, left a legacy behind, thanks to the music he created along with Mike Love, Al Jardine, and his brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson.
While tributes and memories of the longtime musician have sprung up since his passing, his daughter, singer Carnie Wilson, spoke about the past year without her dad on an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show earlier this month.
"It's been a hard year," she said. "You know, we lost my dad last June, almost a year to this date. It's been really, really hard. Grief is gnarly, man. It's gnarly, but you know, there's been so much support, and the best news about all of this is that his music, The Beach Boys music, will live on forever, and we can enjoy it for centuries to come. And I am so proud to be a part of that legacy."
She also noted the recent 60th anniversary of The Beach Boys' album Pet Sounds, which includes beloved hits "God Only Knows" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice."
Of the album itself, Brian is quoted on his Instagram, which remains active in his memory, saying, "I experimented with sounds that would make the listener feel loved. The album was artistically set out in front of other albums and was, in truth, at the time, my biggest and best production. It was the first time I used more traditional and inspired lyrics which emitted feelings from my soul."
Related: 1965 Brian Wilson Timeless Classic Named One of the Best Songs in Music History
According to a report obtained by TMZ at the time, Wilson died of respiratory arrest, the infection issues, such as sepsis and cystitis, as well as neurodegenerative disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic respiratory failure and chronic kidney disease.
Wilson, who was a dad of seven and a grandfather of three, publicly struggled with mental health throughout his time with The Beach Boys but was able to reflect on his struggles in a positive way years later.
"I'm doing good," he told Larry King in a 2004 interview. "I've had a slight nervous breakdown in the '60s. I got through that. And I got through the '70s. And I was in a doctor's program during the '80s and then I met [my wife] Melinda and we've been together ever since. I've got a happy life."
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This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 4:00 AM.