Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Brian Douglas Wilson (June 20, 1942 – June 11, 2025) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He co-founded the Beach Boys and was recognized as an influential figure in popular music. Wilson's work was notable for its high production values, complex harmonies and orchestrations, vocal layering, and introspective lyrics. He was known for his versatile head voice and falsetto. His formative influences included George Gershwin, the Four Freshmen, Phil Spector, and Burt Bacharach. Wilson began his professional career in 1961 as a member of the Beach Boys, serving as songwriter, producer, co-lead vocalist, bassist, keyboardist, and de facto leader. After signing with Capitol Records in 1962, he became the first pop musician credited for writing, arranging, producing, and performing his own material. He also produced acts such as the Honeys and American Spring. By the mid-1960s, Wilson had written or co-written more than two dozen U.S. Top 40 hits, including the number-one singles 'Surf City,' 'I Get Around,' 'Help Me, Rhonda,' and 'Good Vibrations.'