Trivia

Turned in a composition called "Surfin'" to his high school music theory teacher, which got an F, but eventually became a million dollar hit.

Names "California Girls" his favorite song out of all the songs he has written.

In December 2000 at a Christmas party of a friends, when told he could "tickle the ivories" unexpectedly began to play "Heroes and Villians", which he refused to play since 1967. For over 20 years, whenever anybody asked him about the song, he would refuse to talk about it saying "It's not appropriate" or "No comment." After he played the song, someone said "You should do that at the tribute show", a tribute to Wilson was being planned for the spring of 2001. He agreed and for the first time since he wrote it, performed the song at An All-Star Tribute To Brian Wilson (2001). He said that the reaction to his performance led him to decide to finish and perform SMiLE, which had been sitting on the shelf for well over 30 years.

With the death of brother Carl Wilson in 1998, he became the last surviving original member of the Wilson family.

Subject of the song "I Write the Songs", written by The Beach Boys band-mate Bruce Johnston and recorded by Barry Manilow.

Inducted by Sir Paul McCartney into the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame June 2000

Brian and his second wife, the former Melinda Kae Ledbetter, adopted five children: two girls, Daria Rose and Delanie Rae, in 1998; a boy, Dylan, in 2004; a boy, Dash Tristan, in 2009; and a girl, Dakota Rose, in 2010.

Years of smoking six packs of cigarettes a day damaged his voice; even though he no longer smokes, he sings without the range and smoothness of his early days. When he performs Beach Boys songs during shows, another vocalist often takes Wilson's former parts, while Wilson takes the parts recorded by Mike Love. He has referred to having a chest x-ray after he quit smoking as the bravest thing he ever did.

In June 2006, re-united with the original Beach Boys on top of the Capitol Records Building for the first time since 1996, and the first time without brother Carl.

His songs 'California Girls' and 'Good Vibrations' have been played more than three million times, 'I Get Around', 'Help me, Rhonda' and 'Wouldn't it be Nice' more than two million times, on radio. (1998)

Became a virtual recluse after the "Smile" project was abandoned which, by all accounts, would have been on a par with The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

During the 1980s and his crash-diet and when he was at his thinnest, Dr. Eugene Landy had him eating 600 calories a day, or as Brian described it, "One little sunflower seed a day!".

Has said that the Phil Spector song "Be My Baby", as performed by The Ronettes, influenced him to write The Beach Boys's song "Don't Worry Baby".

Founded "Sea of Tunes" as The Beach Boys' publishing company with his father Murry Wilson; eventually lost all his 1960s song copyrights when Murry sold the company at the band's late-1960s low point. It was later proved that Brian had been tricked and hounded into signing over control to Murry, and documentation for the company was faulty or nonexistent - and "Sea of Tunes" buyers Irving Music had profited directly from this. While Brian couldn't regain ownership of his early songs, he was ultimately awarded $25 million by a California court, for his loss. Cousin and co-writer Mike Love, in turn, filed for a share of this from Brian, for songs - including "California Girls" - Murry had never credited him with, and was awarded $12 million. (There was reportedly no malice involved in the suit; with the two men unable to come to terms on their own, they turned to the courts to settle the matter.).

Recently revisited his long-shelved "Smile" album (co-written with Van Dyke Parks), finally completing the project, with plans to both release the album and perform it live on tour, with current backup band, Wondermints (March 2004).

Enjoys the music of Phil Spector, The Ronettes and The Byrds.

His favorite "Beach Boys" album is "Love You", favorite "Beach Boys" song is "California Girls", favorite "Beatles" song is "Let It Be" and favorite Dennis Wilson song is "Little Bird".

First cousin of Mike Love.

The first single he bought was "Rock Around The Clock" by Bill Haley and the Comets.

Almost completely deaf in his right ear, from an early accident. While he has never heard stereo music, his ear for balance between sounds is unusually strong; he preferred to mix in mono because he noticed stereo was off-balance unless one was directly between the speakers. (Later productions of his are in stereo, or binaural sound.)

Father, with Marilyn Wilson, of Carnie Wilson and Wendy Wilson.

Is the subject of the Tears for Fears song, "Brian Wilson Said", from the 1993 "Elemental" album. The touching song is dedicated to the troubled life of the music legend. Much of the song arrangements and vocals were recorded in "Beach Boys" style by singer/composer Roland Orzabal.

Inducted by Elton John into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of The Beach Boys) on 20 January 1988.

Confessed years later that one entire album side (from 1965's 'The Beach Boys Today') had been written and arranged under marijuana's influences.

Recipient of the 2007 Kennedy Center Honors. Other recipients that year were Leon Fleisher, Steve Martin, Diana Ross, and Martin Scorsese.

The Beach Boys were voted the 12th Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artists of all time by "Rolling Stone" magazine.

No longer plays bass or guitar, and has played keyboards or piano since his 1985 performance at Live Aid in which he gave a solid performance of "Wouldn't It Be Nice", he first in many years.

Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to British music and integral part of British music culture. (November 14, 2006)

Performed the title song and "Little Honda" as himself with the Beach Boys in the movie The Girls on the Beach (1965), and sang the solo "The Lonely Sea" in the same film. He is also credited as an extra in Beach Blanket Bingo (1965).

Actually performed the song "Brian Wilson" by the Barenaked Ladies live with slight abridgments to one line, instead of "Playing my guitar and building castles in the sun", he said "Playing my piano and building castles in the sand".

His favorite singers include Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley.

Was a board member for the Monterey Pop Festival.

Referenced in the song "When God Invented Girls", written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Wrote his 1964 song "Don't Worry Baby" specifically for friend Ronnie Spector of The Ronettes.

Album SMiLE was intended on being the sequel to the critically acclaimed Beach Boys album Pet Sounds. Despite critical acclaim, Pet Sounds sold so poorly that Mike Love was adamant of the Beach Boys not doing it, leaving Brian to abandon it. Wilson finally finished and released it in 2004 after 37 years on the shelf.

Subject of the hit song "Brian Wilson" by the Barenaked Ladies.

Older brother of Carl Wilson and Dennis Wilson.

He and The Beach Boys were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1500 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

Is portrayed by Greg Kean in Summer Dreams: The Story of the Beach Boys (1990), and by both John Cusack and Paul Dano in Love & Mercy.

His favorite album of all time is "Phil Spector's Christmas Album". Another favorite is "Sail Away" by Randy Newman.

He began dating his first wife Marilyn when he was 20 and she was just 14; they married when she was 17.

Ex-brother-in-law of Karen Lamm.