TheArchive: Reviewing the Rare, Retro, and Restored

The world is mourning the loss of Brian Wilson, the heart of The Beach Boys and a defining force in American pop music, who passed away at the age of 82 . His family shared the news in a heartfelt statement, stating, “We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world,” acknowledging the deep connection fans have to Wilson’s legacy. While no cause of death has been officially released, it was revealed earlier this year that Wilson had been living with a neurocognitive disorder similar to dementia. Wilson wasn’t just a bandleader; he was a musical visionary . Drawing inspiration from producer Phil Spector’s signature sound, Wilson famously set out to create a “teenage symphony to God.” That phrase captured his belief that pop music could transcend its commercial roots and tap into something sublime. His songs often reflected a bittersweet yearning, grounded in an idealized vision of youth, while also leaving space for the sadness and complexity he lived with privately. Behind his ...