The musical world lost a giant with news Wednesday that Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys’ visionary and fragile leader, had died. He was 82.Attempting to distill Wilson's talent and influence in a few short songs is an impossibility;

Singer-songwriter, who co-wrote "Good Vibrations" and "California Girls" with Wilson, was honored at Songwriters Hall of Fame

"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,