founder has sadly died aged 82. The co-lead vocalist's children announced his death on social media, along with what appeared to be a recent photo. 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."

formed the boy band in 1961 alongside his brothers, Dennis and Carl Wilson, and their cousin Mike, and friend Al Jardine. He was credited for writing major hits, including Surfin' USA, Good Vibrations, and God Only Knows.

The band was one of the most defining sounds of the 1960s, and the singer was once asked to pick his favourite songs that influenced him and his work.

Speaking to in 2015, he picked several soundtracks which reportedly "made" him into the person he was.

'Rhapsody in Blue' by George Gershwin

'Be My Baby' by The Ronettes

'With A Little Help From My Friends' by The Beatles

'Johnny B. Goode' by Chuck Berry

'You Stepped Out of a Dream' by The Four Freshmen's

Explaining why he chose Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin, he told RS: "The track from 1924 was the first song I ever heard. When I was a little boy, very young, I heard it and said, 'Mom, Mom, play it again'."

It's no secret that The Beatles and The Beach Boys had a rivalry and were undoubtedly influenced by each other's music, but it may be surprising that one of their songs found it into his top five. Whilst it never became bitter, Mike Love once said there was "respect and mutual admiration" between the bands.

Brian's pick of the classic 'With A Little Help From My Friends,' meant that the band covered the song and even performed it in their live shows. 1965 album Rubber Soul as "probably the greatest record ever".

Paul McCartney even returned the compliment upon the release of The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows", calling it his favourite song ever.

He also said that 'Be My Baby' was "the song that inspired me to produce records". Detailing further into why he chose Chuck Berry, he said, "I met Chuck Berry one time on an aeroplane. I said, 'Hi, I'm Brian Wilson!' He goes, 'Hey', and then he turned away. He wouldn't talk to me. Too bad. But he taught me how to write rock and roll songs."

When it came to 'You Stepped Out Of A Dream', Brian explained: "This is where I learned to arrange harmonies and also where I learned to sing falsetto. Their four-part harmony was totally original."