Brian Wilson, legendary Beach Boy, dies at 82

Brian Wilson, the pop music genius and singer who co-founded the Beach Boys, has died. He was 82. His family announced his death on Instagram but did not provide details regarding when, where or how.

His family wrote: “We are heartbroken to announce that 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 & Mercy.”

Wilson, born on June 20, 1942, served as the iconic band’s songwriter and co-lead vocalist. He also played bass guitar and keyboard with his brothers, Dennis and Carl Wilson, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, who were all part of the original lineup.

Ed Masley, pop music critic for “The Arizona Republic,” joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss not only Wilson’s life and musical contributions, but the way he affected our culture, specifically creating the “California Sound” and Southern Californian culture of easy breezy beach days, surfing, etc.

As Masley described, Wilson lived a troubled life. Masley attended numerous live performances with the late singer, and at those performances, “you have to see him on his terms. That vulnerability is right in your face in concert. He’s obviously uncomfortable. He stares off into space. He’s not always engaged in what’s going on around him. But it kind of adds to the vulnerability and the emotional connection and the feeling that there’s a human making this amazing music,” Masley said.