Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson’s cause of death has emerged.
The music titan’s family announced his death at the age of 82 earlier this month. The likes of Sir Paul McCartney and Elton John have paid tribute to Wilson and spoken of his “musical genius”.
It’s now revealed the Beach Boys legend died from respiratory arrest, which occurs when the heart is still beating but the lungs stop functioning, making it impossible for the person to get oxygen. The beloved hitmaker also suffered from chronic respiratory failure.
A death certificate stated Wilson had several health issues at the time of his death, with sepsis and cystitis (both linked to infections) listed as contributing factors. The document seen by TMZ also listed other health problems including a neurodegenerative disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic respiratory failure, and chronic kidney disease.
(Image: Getty Images)
Wilson’s family announced his death on June 11. In a statement shared on Instagram, they wrote: “We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away.
“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. Love & Mercy.”
Wilson formed the Beach Boys in 1961 with brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love and their pal Al Jardine. They shot to fame with their 1961 song Surfin’ and would go on to score hits with God Only Knows and Surfin’ USA.
(Image: Getty Images)
The band said of Wilson after his passing: “Brian Wilson wasn’t just the heart of The Beach Boys – he was the soul of our sound. The melodies he dreamed up and the emotions he poured into every note changed the course of music forever. We are heartbroken by his passing.”
Paul McCartney hailed their 1966 hit God Only Knows as “the greatest song every written”. He said after Wilson’s death: “Brian had that mysterious sense of musical genius that made his songs so achingly special.
“The notes he heard in his head and passed to us were simple and brilliant at the same time. I loved him, and was privileged to be around his bright shining light for a little while.”
Sir Elton John said he was “always so kind to me from the day I met him”. His own tribute read: “I grew to love him as a person, and for me, he was the biggest influence on my songwriting ever; he was a musical genius and revolutionary. He changed the goalposts when it came to writing songs and shaped music forever. A true giant.”
Bob Dylan said: “Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I’ve been listening to him and admiring his genius.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
