In photos of the Beach Boys, he was the tall, chubby guy with the crooked smile, looking just as stiff as the other four and as if he was sorry for having done something terribly wrong. Brian Wilson, who died at the age of 82, as his family announced on Wednesday, June 11, was undoubtedly a master of self-deprecation and guilt, but he also had a few other talents.

Within the California band, he took on the roles of principal composer, pianist, bassist, arranger and singer with a high, aching voice. More importantly, perhaps he remains alongside Phil Spector as one of the great visionaries who saw the studio as an instrument in its own right. For five years, this gifted and intuitive musician – deaf in one ear – created dozens of magnificent songs.

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