Wilson, Carl Dean (1946–1998)

US singer and guitarist, a founder member of the US band the Beach Boys. Although Carl's singing abilities were overshadowed for much of the Beach Boys' career by those of his brother, Brian Wilson, who recorded most of the lead vocals on their early hits, his qualities as a talented guitarist and singer helped create the band's unforgettable sound.

Carl and his two brothers Brian and Dennis grew up in Los Angeles, and as children they developed a love for the close barbershop-type harmonies of fifties groups like the Four Freshmen. In 1961 they formed a band – Carl and the Passions – that quickly became caught up in the surfing culture of Malibu and, as the Beach Boys, produced their first three consecutive singles based around it. The third of these – and their first hit in 1963 – was ‘Surfin' USA’. With their skilful, close harmonies, they produced a string of hits, including ‘I Get Around’ (1964), ‘California Girls’ (1965), and ‘Good Vibrations’ (1966).