DENNIS WILSON
DENNIS WILSON
The BEACH BOYS
4 December 1944 – 28 December 1983
Dennis Wilson was a co-founder, the drummer and sang backing vocals in the American band the Beach Boys. The Beach Boys were known for their beach themed music, Dennis was the only surfer in the band.
Wilson is the middle brother of Beach Boy members Brian and Carl and grew up with his family in Hawthorne, California, US. He described himself as the black sheep in the family dynamic and gained the nickname ‘Dennis the Menace’. Dennis was targeted by his father whom abused him.
In 1968, Wilson was in Malibu when he picked up two female hitchhikers, one of them being Patricia Krenwinkel. Not long after, he saw the same two girls hitchhiking again and took them back to his home. The girls told him about Charlie Manson who had just got released from prison. He left the two girls at his home and went to the recording studio, when he returned that night, he met Charles Manson and a dozen young people in his home – most of them young women. Wilson was intrigued and called Manson ‘the Wizard’, and the two got along due to their love for music and women. Manson and his followers stayed at Wilson’s home which cost him thousands of dollars on cars, clothing, food, and drugs. Wilson introduced Manson to those in the music industry, including producer Terry Melcher and helped Manson record some songs. Six months later, Manson’s followers destroyed Wilson’s Ferrari and his Mercedes-Benz. Wilson started to distance himself from Manson and moved out of the rented home, all his possessions were stolen and the family were then evicted from his home. Wilson ignored Manson, Manson left him a bullet as a threat. In August 1969, the Manson murders took place.
Wilson struggled with alcohol and drugs including cocaine and heroin. His addictions caused tension within the band and he released a solo album in 1977. At the end of his life, he could no longer sing and couldn’t play the drums. He ended up homeless and spent time in rehab and the hospital.
Wilson, 39, spent a day drinking, whilst on his friend’s boat and as he attempted to retrieve jewelry which was thrown overboard he drowned. President Reagan permitted Wilson to be buried at sea, a practice normally reserved for only naval personnel.
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