Spotlight on Brian Wilson (1942-2025)
Brian Wilson making music like no other. God only knows how much we’ll miss him.

Spotlight on Brian Wilson (1942-2025)

The genius Beach Boy dies at 82, but you feel all the heart and hurt of his tumultuous life in the biopic that needs two actors to play him.

By Peter Travers

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Brian Wilson was a true musical genius and a man scarred by drugs and mental challenges. And yet his death at 82 still shocks and saddens all of us who grew up counting on his good vibrations as co-founder of the Beach Boys. His singer daughter Carnie Wilson, of Wilson Phillips, summed up her deep feelings of loss on Instagram. “I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now. My Father @brianwilsonlive was every fiber of my body. He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends. I am lucky to have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him that will live on always. I’ve never felt this kind of pain before, but I know he’s resting up there in heaven …or maybe playing the piano for Grandma Audree, his mom. I will post something else soon but this is all my hands will let me type. I love you Daddy….I miss you so much already.”