Brian Wilson, influential pop pioneer and leader of the Beach Boys, dies at 82

Brian Wilson, the musical visionary who captured the optimism of early 1960s youth culture as leader of the Beach Boys and crafted some of the most stylistically adventurous pop music of the era with the seminal album "Pet Sounds," has died, his family confirmed Wednesday

Brian Wilson, the musical visionary who captured the optimism of early 1960s youth culture as leader of the Beach Boys and crafted some of the most stylistically adventurous pop music of the era with the seminal album "Pet Sounds," has died, his family confirmed Wednesday.

He was 82. His family did not immediately specify a cause of death.

"We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away," Wilson's family said in a post on Instagram. "We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world."

His daughter, singer Carnie Wilson, said on Instagram: "I have no words to express the sadness I feel right now. My Father @brianwilsonlive was every fiber of my body. He will be remembered by millions and millions until the world ends. I am lucky to have been his daughter and had a soul connection with him that will live on always."

The artist's legal representatives said last year that Wilson was suffering from a "major neurocognitive disorder (such as dementia)" and suggested he be placed in a conservatorship.