The Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson dead at 82

The Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson has died, his family revealed Wednesday.

The singer was 82 years old.

“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” the musician’s loved ones wrote via Instagram.

“We are at a loss for words right now,” the statement continued. “Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving.

They concluded by acknowledging, “We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.”

The social media upload included a smiling outdoor snap, featuring Wilson sitting on a park bench in an orange polo, black shorts and sneakers.

The social media statement did not specify his cause of death.

News broke last year that the Grammy winner was suffering from a “major neurocognitive disorder (such as dementia).”

The legendary artist’s family members sought a conservatorship for him in February 2024, one month after his wife — and “healthcare proxy” — Melinda Ledbetter died at age 77.

The duo adopted five kids during their time together from 1995 to 2024 — Daria, Delanie, Dylan, Dash and Dakota Rose.

Wilson also shared daughters Carnie and Wendy with his first wife, Marilyn Rovell.

He is survived by his seven children.

Wilson founded the Beach Boys in 1961 with brothers Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, as well as cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine.

He was 19 when the band, originally called the Pendletones, was formed.

They released their first album, “Surfin’ Safari,” the following year, finding major success with “Surfin’ USA” in 1963.

Wilson resigned from touring in 1964, with his subsequent focus on songwriting and production leading to the band’s beloved “Pet Sounds” album.

The songwriter’s career went on to feature lengthy periods of reclusion amid his mental health struggles, peppered with resurgences.

From 1999 to 2022, he toured as a solo artist, with both of his two wins out of nine Grammy nominations coming from this period.

Wilson, who was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, last performed in Michigan in 2022, singing “Help Me Rhonda,” “California Girls” and other hits.