Brian Wilson, Beach Boys Architect, Dies at 82

Brian Wilson, the creative force behind the Beach Boys, has died at age 82, leaving behind a monumental legacy in music history. Wilson almost single-handedly composed the influential 1966 album "Pet Sounds," which expanded the pop-rock sound beyond traditional instrumentation and inspired the Beatles' iconic "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Known for pioneering complex production techniques, Wilson crafted timeless hits such as "Good Vibrations," "California Girls," and "God Only Knows," the latter being Paul McCartney's favorite song. "Good Vibrations" was notable as the most expensive single ever recorded at the time and a seminal example of psychedelic pop. Wilson's innovative style combined unusual instruments and layered textures, making live reproduction difficult but reshaping popular music's possibilities. His work with co-writers including Mike Love, Tony Asher, and Van Dyke Parks produced enduring songs that continue to influence artists worldwide.