Dennis Carl Wilson (December 4, 1944 â€" December 28, 1983) was an
American musician, singer, and songwriter who co-founded the Beach
Boys. He is best remembered as their drummer and as the middle brother
of bandmates Brian and Carl Wilson. Dennis was the only true surfer in
the Beach Boys, and his personal life exemplified the "California
Myth" that the band's early songs often celebrated. He was also known
for his brief association with Charles Manson, a cult leader and
songwriter later convicted of several murders, and for co-starring in
the 1971 film Two-Lane Blacktop.Wilson served mainly on drums and
backing vocals for the Beach Boys. His playing can be heard on many of
the group's hits, despite the popular misconception that he was always
replaced on record by studio musicians. He originally had few lead
vocals on the band's songs, but his prominence as a singer-songwriter
increased following their 1968 album Friends. His music is
characterized for reflecting his "edginess" and "little of his happy
charm". His original songs for the group included "Little Bird" (1968)
and "Forever" (1970). Friends and biographers also say that he was an
uncredited writer on "You Are So Beautiful", a hit for Joe Cocker in
1974.During his final years, Wilson struggled with drug addiction
which contributed to tensions with his bandmates. His solo album
Pacific Ocean Blue (1977) was released to warm reviews and moderate
sales. Sessions for a follow-up, Bambu, disintegrated before his
death. In 1983, Wilson drowned at age 39. In 1988, he was posthumously
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beach
Boys.
American musician, singer, and songwriter who co-founded the Beach
Boys. He is best remembered as their drummer and as the middle brother
of bandmates Brian and Carl Wilson. Dennis was the only true surfer in
the Beach Boys, and his personal life exemplified the "California
Myth" that the band's early songs often celebrated. He was also known
for his brief association with Charles Manson, a cult leader and
songwriter later convicted of several murders, and for co-starring in
the 1971 film Two-Lane Blacktop.Wilson served mainly on drums and
backing vocals for the Beach Boys. His playing can be heard on many of
the group's hits, despite the popular misconception that he was always
replaced on record by studio musicians. He originally had few lead
vocals on the band's songs, but his prominence as a singer-songwriter
increased following their 1968 album Friends. His music is
characterized for reflecting his "edginess" and "little of his happy
charm". His original songs for the group included "Little Bird" (1968)
and "Forever" (1970). Friends and biographers also say that he was an
uncredited writer on "You Are So Beautiful", a hit for Joe Cocker in
1974.During his final years, Wilson struggled with drug addiction
which contributed to tensions with his bandmates. His solo album
Pacific Ocean Blue (1977) was released to warm reviews and moderate
sales. Sessions for a follow-up, Bambu, disintegrated before his
death. In 1983, Wilson drowned at age 39. In 1988, he was posthumously
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beach
Boys.
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