Legendary Beach Boys mastermind and singer Brian Wilson is reportedly suffering from dementia.
Two representatives of the 81-year-old artist – one of the most acclaimed songwriters of the 20th century – and his family have said in a lawsuit that Wilson suffers from a “severe neurocognitive disorder (such as dementia).” according to documents obtained by The Blast on Thursday.
In the filing, the hitmaker's team is calling for a conservatorship to be set up for the legendary musician to help treat the alleged illness.
News of Wilson's condition comes after he suffered tragedy late last month when his longtime wife Melinda died at the age of 77.
Wilson's family shared a statement with about the current legal action.
Family representatives of Beach Boys mastermind Brian Wilson, 81, said in court papers that he suffers from dementia, according to documents obtained by The Blast; seen in 2020 in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
Wilson (far right) is considered one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century for his innovative work with the Beach Boys (pictured in 1964). In addition to composing many of their pieces, he also sang lead and backing vocals and played several instruments on their records; (L-R) Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine and Brian Wilson
“Following the death of Brian's beloved wife Melinda, after careful consideration and consultation between Brian, his seven children, Gloria Ramos and Brian's doctors (and consistent with the family processes initiated by Brian and Melinda), we confirm that long-time representatives of the Wilson Family are LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian's co-conservators of the subject.
“This decision was made to ensure that there are no extreme changes in the household and that Brian and the children living at home are cared for and remain in the home where they will be cared for by Gloria Ramos and the wonderful team in the home for many years of taking care of the family.
“Brian will enjoy time with all his family and friends and will continue to work on current projects and be able to participate in any activities of his choosing,” they concluded.
Wilson has a decades-long history of mental health issues and has struggled with substance abuse in the past. The filing states that he would reportedly no longer be able to care for himself if his condition worsened.
Wilson's representatives state in their filing that he is currently being treated for dementia.
“The (proposed) conservator is NOT capable of providing informed consent to the administration of medications appropriate for the care and treatment of serious neurocognitive disorders (including dementia),” they claim.
“The identified deficits in mental function…significantly impair the (intended) conservatee's ability to understand and appreciate the consequences of consenting to the administration of medications for the care and treatment of serious neurocognitive disorders,” they added.
They also say Wilson is unable to attend hearings on the matter “due to medical incapacity.”
Following the submission, a hearing will take place at which a judge will decide whether or not the application to establish a conservatorship will be granted.
Court records show the hearing is currently scheduled for April 26, 2024.
News of Wilson's condition comes after he suffered tragedy late last month when his longtime wife Melinda died at the age of 77. Pictured together in Berlin in 2015
A statement from Wilson's family to confirmed that “longtime Wilson family representatives LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian's co-trustees”; Wilson is pictured in Las Vegas in 2015
The filing says Wilson's “anxiety, depression, and helplessness” are “deeply inappropriate,” and a doctor is quoted as saying he is “easily distracted,” “often makes…irrelevant or incoherent statements,” and that he has “very short attention”. span'; Wilson was seen in Florida in January 2020
According to The Blast, a “capacity” file among the documents states that Wilson's “anxiety, depression and helplessness” were “deeply inappropriate.”
The filing quotes a doctor as saying Wilson was “easily distracted, often even when aware of the surroundings and their purpose.”
They added that the musician “often spontaneously makes irrelevant or incoherent statements” and “has a very short attention span and, although unintentionally disruptive, is often unable to maintain the decorum appropriate to the situation.”
He is also said to have taken medication to “slow down the progression of the disease.”
Wilson's family said in their statement and court filing that the death of his wife Melinda on Jan. 30, 2024, necessitated a request for conservatorship because she took care of his “daily living needs.”
'Mister. “Wilson is unable to adequately meet his personal needs for physical health, food, clothing or shelter,” the filing continues.
His representatives explain that he has an “Advance Health Care Directive” naming his late wife as his “health care agent,” but she had not named a “successor attorney-in-fact,” leaving him without anyone in it after her final death Role had to live month.
“Jean Sievers is Mr. Wilson's long-time publicist and manager, and LeeAnn Hard is Mr. Wilson's long-time business manager.” “They have had a close relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson for many years and Mr. Wilson trusts them,” the filing states.
It adds that “Ms. Hard is not requesting the appointment of a conservator of the estate because Mr. Wilson has a trust, his assets are held in trust, and Ms. Hard is the trustee of his trust.”
In a heartbreaking social media post announcing the death of his wife Melinda, Brian wrote: “My heart is broken.” Melinda, my beloved wife of 28 years, passed away this morning. Our five children and I were simply in tears.
“We are lost,” he continued. “Melinda was more than my wife. 'She was my savior.'
The couple married in 1995
The songwriters’ representatives add that they hope “Mr. Wilson will remain in his home, and it is the intention of Ms. Siever and Ms. Hard to ensure that all of Mr. Wilson's daily living needs are met and that he receives the best possible care while he remains in his home.”
Wilson has reportedly been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder in the past.
In a 2015 interview with Salon, attended by his wife Melinda, Wilson admitted to experiencing auditory hallucinations in the form of voices for decades.
“I have voices in my head,” he explained. “Mostly it's derogatory.” Some of it is cheerful. Most of it isn't.'
Wilson began using drugs heavily, including the psychedelic drug LSD, in the mid-1960s and began developing paranoid delusions shortly thereafter.
During the creation of the band's masterpiece, 1966's Pet Sounds, Wilson was in almost complete control of the Beach Boys.
He produced the album himself, wrote or co-wrote all the songs and sang lead on many of the tracks.
The album, which Paul McCartney called his favorite and which inspired him to write more ambitious songs for the Beatles, initially underperformed commercially and received average reviews, but has since been considered one of the best pop and rock albums of all time .
But Wilson's drug use and deteriorating mental health made it difficult to complete the even more ambitious follow-up, “Smile,” which was eventually shelved, although subsequent songs were later re-recorded and an incomplete version was eventually released in 2011.
His representatives explain that he has an “Advance Health Care Directive” that names his late wife Melinda as his “health care agent,” but she has not named a “successor agent,” so he has no one after him in that role death last month; Seen on The View in 2015
Wilson used drugs extensively in the mid-1960s and began to suffer from hallucinations and paranoid delusions, although he made a remarkable recovery in the following decades; seen in January 2020
Wilson admitted in 2015 that he still hears voices in his head that often sound “derogatory,” but he has still performed extensively with the Beach Boys and is a successful solo artist; seen in January 2020
Despite the persistent voices he heard, Wilson recovered remarkably in the decades that followed.
Over the years, he continued to perform with the Beach Boys and released several acclaimed solo albums, including a re-recorded, complete version of “Smile.”
Wilson also has more music to release. In 1970, he began producing a country album with former Beach Boys manager Fred Vail as lead singer, but it was ultimately shelved.
But Wilson and Vail have since returned to finish the album and release it in 2025, and Wilson will even appear as a guest vocalist, according to Rolling Stone.
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a number of neurological diseases
A global concern
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive neurological disorders (affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking and behavior.
There are many types of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common.
Some people may experience a combination of different forms of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person experiences dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global problem, but is most common in wealthier countries where people are likely to live into old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer's Society reports that there are now more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK. By 2040, this number is expected to rise to 1.6 million.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 percent of those diagnosed.
There are an estimated 5.5 million Alzheimer's patients in the United States. A similar percentage increase is expected in the coming years.
As you get older, the risk of developing dementia also increases.
Diagnosis rates are increasing, but it is believed that many people with dementia still go undiagnosed.
Is there a cure?
There is currently no cure for dementia.
But new medications can slow the progression, and the earlier it is detected, the more effective treatments can be.
Source: Alzheimer's Society