Beach Boys Revival: The Surprising Reason Their Sun-Soaked Classics Are Dominating Playlists Right Now

Los Angeles — Brian Wilson, the visionary songwriter, producer and co-founder of the Beach Boys, died early Wednesday at his Beverly Hills home, according to a statement released by his family. He was 82. The Southern California native rewrote the sound of American pop in the 1960s with shimmering vocal harmonies, studio experimentation, and surf-soaked optimism. Classics such as “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “California Girls,” and the landmark 1966 album Pet Sounds turned the Beach Boys into an international phenomenon and influenced generations of artists from the Beatles to Billie Eilish. Family statement and cause of death Wilson’s family said he “passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones,” but did not immediately disclose a cause of death. The composer had battled mental-health challenges for decades and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in the 1980s. Tributes flood social media • Paul McCartney, who once called Pet Sounds his favorite album, wrote that Wilson was “one of the greatest musical minds of the 20th century.” • Brian May of Queen praised Wilson’s “fearless orchestral imagination.” • Indie star Billie Eilish thanked him for “teaching us how to paint with sound.” Within hours of the announcement, Spotify reported a 680 percent spike in global streams of Beach Boys music, while Apple Music placed Pet Sounds at No. 1 on its Rock chart. Google searches for “Beach Boys vinyl” and “Brian Wilson tribute” also surged, signaling a new wave of discovery among Gen Z listeners. Legacy of innovation Wilson’s use of layered vocals, theremin, bicycle bells and even dog whistles set a new bar for studio craft. The long-lost Smile project, finally released in 2011, cemented his reputation as pop’s great unfinished symphony writer. Music historian John Brackett notes that Wilson’s “chord progressions still baffle Berklee students,” while producer Jack Antonoff calls him “the original bedroom producer—he just happened to use Capitol Studios.” What’s next for the Beach Boys brand Remaining founding members Mike Love and Al Jardine are expected to continue touring under the Beach Boys name, but insiders say celebratory tribute concerts featuring artists from Harry Styles to Haim are already in discussion for later this summer. Capitol/UMe confirmed a deluxe 60th-anniversary edition of Pet Sounds will now arrive in August with never-heard session tapes and Dolby Atmos mixes. Memorial arrangements A public memorial is being organized at the Hollywood Bowl, tentatively set for June 24. Fans have begun leaving surfboards, flower leis, and vinyl copies of “Good Vibrations” at Wilson’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to MusiCares and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Why the story matters now Wilson’s passing not only closes a chapter in American pop but also underscores the enduring appeal of harmony-driven, feel-good music in an era dominated by digital beats. Record labels are watching today’s streaming spikes closely; marketers anticipate renewed interest in catalog vinyl, documentary projects, and biopic development. For younger audiences, the headline offers an entry point into a discography that shaped everything from psychedelia to modern indie pop. Bottom line The sun-kissed sounds that defined an endless summer for millions now play in memoriam worldwide. As tributes roll in and playlists spin, Brian Wilson’s message remains as bright as a California dawn: good vibrations live forever.