Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 82.
Known as the musical mastermind behind the band’s timeless sound, his final years were marked by health struggles that few saw coming. Al Jardine, Wilson’s longtime bandmate and friend, opened up about the last chapter of Wilson’s life, revealing that the decline started during their 2022 tour.
According to Jardine, there was no significant warning until that tour. “He kind of went silent and began to suffer the effects of long-term COVID, I was told,” Jardine told Variety. “That was a turning point. He became detached.”
Wilson’s health issues weren’t limited to long COVID. Years of back problems and multiple surgeries had left him with severe mobility limitations. Jardine believes those physical challenges had a deep impact on his friend’s mental state. “His infirmity must have been really depressing, not being able to walk again,” he said.
Despite the obvious toll, Jardine insists that Wilson still found some joy during their final performances together. “He was with his adoptive family, and we all loved him, and he knew it,” Jardine said. “He savored every moment, until he got on stage. Then he might decide: ‘Well, I’m just gonna let them do it.’”
During that last tour, fans expecting the vibrant performer of decades past were met with a more withdrawn version of Wilson. “He was fragile and tired and exhausted from probably that long-term COVID thing,” Jardine added. “So, he became, on stage, not the entertainer that everyone thought they were coming to see.”
Wilson’s family announced his death through a heartfelt post on his official Instagram account, saying, “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 and Mercy.”
The remaining Beach Boys paid tribute in a statement that captured Wilson’s enormous impact. “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys, he was the soul of our sound. The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever.”
They described him as a visionary who made people believe in the magic of summer and the endless possibility it represented. “We are heartbroken by his passing. We will continue to cherish the timeless music we made together. And while we will miss him deeply, his legacy will live on through his songs and in our memories.”
Brian Wilson’s final days were quiet, surrounded by love, but marked by the painful effects of long COVID and physical decline. Even in his silence, he remained a symbol of musical genius, one that changed pop history forever.
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