Brian Wilson, the singer-songwriter of the Beach Boys, has died aged 82.

Wilson had been suffering from a “neurocognitive disorder” similar to dementia, according to his family.

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 realise that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy,” it added.

The eldest and last surviving of three musical brothers, he and his fellow Beach Boys rose in the 1960s from a local California band to international superstars.

The band – who also featured Mike Love, the brothers’ cousin, and Al Jardine, their childhood friend – were voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

In May 2024, Mr Wilson was placed under a conservatorship due to health issues.

It came after Wilson’s wife of 28 years, Melinda, died in January 2024.