Brian Wilson, The Beach Boys co-founder and legendary songwriter dead at 82. The creative force behind the iconic California band has passed away at 82-years-old confirmed by his family on Wednesday.

The musician’s “heartbroken” family members announced his passing in a statement, noting, “We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.”

Brian Wilson, the founder and songwriter for The Beach Boys, died Wednesday, his family confirmed on social media. He was 82. Wilson was diagnosed with dementia last year.

Brian Wilson's death was announced Wednesday in a statement on Instagram. The Beach Boys founder's cause of death wasn't disclosed, but he was placed under a conservatorship last spring after it was revealed he was battling late-stage dementia.