Formed the Beach Boys with brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine.
Deaf in his right ear since he was a child.
Taught himself to play piano.
Wrote the music for such classics as "California Girls," "Fun, Fun, Fun," "God Only Knows," "Good Vibrations" and "Surfin' Safari."
Although considered one of the architects of surfin' music, never actually surfed.
Retired from touring in 1965 to concentrate on recording.
Was inspired to create the Beach Boys' classic Pet Sounds by the Beatles' Revolver; Pet Sounds in turn inspired the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Father of Carnie and Wendy Wilson (two-thirds of the pop group Wilson Phillips).
Suffered a mental breakdown while recording Smile, the Beach Boys' follow-up to Pet Sounds. He wouldn't finish the album until 2004, when he recorded and released it as a solo artist.
Developed schizoaffective disorder in his mid-20s.
Underwent extensive therapy during the mid-1970s and again during the '80s with controversial psychotherapist Eugene Landy.
Met his future wife Melinda in 1986 when she sold him a car.