His father, a frustrated songwriter who sold heavy machinery, was a "tyrant and heavy drinker" and abused Brian physically and emotionally. Brian was a musical prodigy, teaching himself piano and writing his first song at age 5.

Beach Boy Al Jardine remembers the last time he spoke with Brian Wilson Jardine says he believes that Wilson found peace before he died Wilson died on June 11 at age 82 More than 60 years after they first joined forces to form the Beach Boys,