Happy Birthday musician Brian Wilson

Born: June 20, 1942 in Inglewood, California, USA

Married to: Melinda Kae Ledbetter (6 February 1995 – present) (5 children)
Marilyn Wilson (7 December 1964 – 1979) (divorced) (2 children)

Founded “Sea of Tunes” as The Beach Boys’ publishing company with his father Murry Wilson; eventually lost all his 1960s song copyrights when Murry sold the company at the band’s late-1960s low point. It was later proved that Brian had been tricked and hounded into signing over control to Murry, and documentation for the company was faulty or nonexistent – and “Sea of Tunes” buyers Irving Music had profited directly from this. While Brian couldn’t regain ownership of his early songs, he was ultimately awarded $25 million by a California court, for his loss. Cousin and co-writer Mike Love, in turn, filed for a share of this from Brian, for songs – including “California Girls” – Murry had never credited him with, and was awarded $12 million. (There was reportedly no malice involved in the suit; with the two men unable to come to terms on their own, they turned to the courts to settle the matter.).

Recently revisited his long-shelved “Smile” album (co-written with Van Dyke Parks), finally completing the project, with plans to both release the album and perform it live on tour, with current backup band, Wondermints (March 2004).

The Beach Boys were voted the 12th Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Artists of all time by “Rolling Stone” magazine.