Brian Wilson, the prodigious visionary engine behind the Beach Boys, composer of “teenage symphonies to God,” the big, gentle, sweet-voiced soul whose music touched generations, has died at 82.

"We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away," the statement read. "We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving.

The Beach Boys' founding member never seemed to encounter a genre, instrument or movement he didn’t want to incorporate into his soundscape. That’s why it’s equally surprising and totally believable that at the very start of the '90s he recorded a rap song,

Wilson's fellow founding Beach Boys members also paid tribute. Al Jardine, best known as the band's rhythm guitarist and occasionally singing lead vocals, calls Wilson "my friend, my classmate, my football teammate,