The Life And Struggles Of Brian Wilson: A Musical Genius's Journey

Labeled by the press as a musical genius while still in his 20s, Brian Wilson would produce more than two dozen Top 40 hits as a member of the original Beach Boys. Yet substance abuse and mental health issues would force the singer-songwriter-composer to withdraw from the world just as his professional star was reaching new heights.

As the Beach Boys began to skyrocket, Wilson suffered a nervous breakdown

Born in 1942 and raised in Hawthorne, California, it was during high school that Wilson, his two younger brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine formed what would become one of America’s greatest rock bands, the Beach Boys. Starting as a garage band in 1961, the group’s blended harmonies, sophisticated arrangements, and innovative recording techniques propelled their music to the top of the charts. Their sound became the soundtrack for the growing youth culture embracing the look and sounds of Southern California surf life.

With Wilson almost completely deaf in his right ear due to a childhood accident, he took on the roles of songwriter, producer, and frontman for the band. The Beach Boys' first album, Surfin’ Safari (1962), introduced their early sound. Subsequent albums like Surfin’ USA, Surfer Girl, and Little Deuce Coupe (all in 1963), along with the seminal Pet Sounds (1966) and the platinum single “Good Vibrations,” catapulted the band to international fame. However, by 1967, Wilson had suffered a nervous breakdown and became uncomfortable performing on stage, leading him to quit touring and retreat into a more creative role.

He turned to drugs to battle his depression

As the Beach Boys' success soared in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Wilson sank deeper into seclusion. He turned to heavier drug use, particularly cocaine and hallucinogens such as LSD, to combat the worsening depression that often left him unable to get out of bed for days. In rare public appearances, he was spotted dressed only in his bathrobe, while alcohol abuse and overeating drove his weight over 300 pounds. Ultimately, Wilson would be diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, resulting in ongoing hallucinations, depression, paranoia, and sometimes mania.

“For the past 40 years, I’ve had auditory hallucinations in my head, all day every day, and I can’t get them out,” Wilson shared in Ability magazine in 2006. The constant derogatory voices were a daily battle for him, forcing him to assertively push back against them, saying, “Hey, would you quit stalking me? F*** off! Don’t talk to me — leave me alone!”

A psychologist helped Wilson take charge of his health and became very involved in his life

By the mid-1970s, Wilson’s family grew increasingly concerned, prompting his then-wife to enlist psychologist Dr. Eugene Landy to help him regain control over his drug dependency and overall health. Dr. Landy monitored Wilson 24 hours a day, aiding him in managing his physical and mental health. However, Landy faced accusations of exploiting his control over Wilson during their nearly 15 years together. Landy became so involved in Wilson's life that he was credited as a collaborator on Wilson’s 1988 solo album and was even named a beneficiary in his will.

In 1991, Wilson’s family sued Landy for a restraining order, eventually leading to Landy losing his license to practice psychology in California. Despite this, Wilson credited Landy with helping him recover through medication and enforced abstinence, paving the way for his return to performing and creating new music. Their complicated relationship inspired the 2014 biopic Love & Mercy, featuring John Cusack as Wilson and Paul Giamatti as Landy.

Wilson continues to struggle but has also 'been able to live a wonderful, healthy and productive life'

Wilson's ongoing well-being is often attributed to his second wife, Melinda, whom he married in 1995 and shares five adopted children with. “She got him to see the right doctors,” noted longtime friend Jeff Foskett in a 2012 interview. “She’s provided a family environment for him. They actually do things together.” Despite his struggles, Wilson remains committed to music, asserting, “Oh man, no retiring! If I retired I wouldn’t know what to do with my time. I’d rather get on the road and do concerts.”

His creative output remains strong; however, Wilson understands the importance of prioritizing his mental health. He postponed dates on his 2019 tour after back surgeries left him feeling “mentally insecure.” In the studio and rehearsing with his band, Wilson faced challenges as his mental health issues resurfaced, stating he struggled “with stuff in my head and saying things I don’t mean.”

“It is no secret that I have been living with mental illness for many decades,” Wilson reflected. “There were