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.

Brian Wilson, the influential pop musician who co-founded the the Beach Boys and wrote such hit songs as 'Good Vibrations,' 'I Get Around,' and 'God Only Knows,' has died at 82.