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The Beach Boys co-founder and legendary songwriter Brian Wilson has died at the age of 82.
Wilson’s family announced his passing June 11 with a touching statement on Instagram.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” the statement read. “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.”
Wilson famously co-founded The Beach Boys with his brothers Carl and Dennis Wilson, as well as their friends Mike Love and Al Jardine. The iconic band hit the top of the charts with their California-branded positivity, but Brian successfully built out a career of his own, cementing himself as one of the greatest producers and singers of all time and releasing several records.
For fans in mourning, there are several films that look back on Brian’s vast career in music as part of The Beach Boys and as a solo artist. Scroll down to find out where you can stream them.
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(L-R) Al Jardine, Mike Love, Dennis Wilson, Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson. circa 1964. Photo: Disney Tune into The Beach Boys on Disney+ to see Brian and his brothers look back on the early days of the band and how they found their footing in a changing musical landscape during a time of political unrest and the rise of the Beatles. But their impact – built, in part, by Brian’s genius songwriting abilities – was undeniable. The 2024 documentary also offers a frank look at how their father, Murray Wilson, both mistreated and mismanaged the band.
Check out our full review of The Beach Boys.
WHERE TO STREAM THE BEACH BOYS
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Photo: Everett Collection Paul Dano portrayed the late singer/songwriter in the 2014 biopic Love & Mercy, also starring John Cusack, Paul Giamatti, and Elizabeth Banks. Titled after Brian’s 1988 song of the same name, the heartbreaking film shows how Brian lost himself to drugs and mental illness following the release of “Pet Sounds.” After he ends up under the influence of his therapist and legal guardian, an older Brian (Cusack) later finds a new lease on life after meeting the woman who would later become his wife, Melinda Ledbetter (Banks).
WHERE TO STREAM LOVE & MERCY
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Photo: Everett Collection Hear from the legend himself in this revelatory documentary Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road. The 2021 documentary captures the singer in the twilight of his career after suffering a nervous breakdown. But his impact is undeniable thanks to the star-studded lineup of musicians who sing his praises, including Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, and more. Brian opens up as much as he can, offering several touching and emotional moments as he quite literally takes a walk down memory lane and revisits his childhood haunts.
Read our full review of Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road.
WHERE TO STREAM BRIAN WILSON: LONG PROMISED ROAD
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Photo: ERP Beach Boys: Making Pet Sounds celebrates the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking album with firsthand accounts from Brian, as well as Bruce Johnston and David Marks, as they look back on the production of what would eventually become one of the most influential albums of our time. The 2016 documentary is a short but poignant watch as part of the Classic Albums series.
where to stream beach boys: making pet sounds
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Photo: Courtesy of Everett Collection WHERE TO STREAM Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times
And if you’re still looking to learn more about Wilson’s storied life, the 1995 documentary Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times chronicles the ups and downs of his career, capturing everything from the creation of The Beach Boys, to his most impactful music, and later, his struggles with substance abuse and recovery. The documentary cements Wilson as one of the greatest of all time, featuring testimonies from Tom Petty, Linda Ronstadt, and more. The film also features an accompanying soundtrack by the same title from Wilson himself.
