The Beach Boys is a Disney+ documentary that premiered on the platform on May 24, 2024. It follows the journey of the band, which consisted of Jardine, Love, Carl, Brian, and Dennis Wilson. The band became quite a phenomenon with its exceptional music.
Dennis Wilson was the drummer for the Californian rock band. He passed away on December 28, 1983, at the age of 39. He was reportedly found in the Marina del Rey harbor, 12 feet underwater. The drummer was found at about 5:45 p.m. This was after he dove into the water from a slit in a 52-foot yawl named the Emerald at around 4:25 p.m. When he did not surface back, lifeguards and the Harbor Patrol were contacted to find him, The New York Times reported.
As per a report by People Magazine, Skip Lahti, the yacht manager, and Bill Oster, the boat owner, said that Dennis Wilson had been drinking for a while before he dived in to find unearthed treasures supposedly. He reportedly joined two detox and hospital facilities just days before his death and left them both. Those onboard allegedly thought that the Beach Boys member was joking around before returning to the water’s surface before it took too long.
On January 4, 1984, Dennis Wilson was laid to rest in the Pacific Ocean. The Coast Guard directed the burial at sea, as his wife, Shawn Wilson, reportedly said that is what the Beach Boys drummer would have wanted. United Press International archives reported that President Reagan granted the ceremony. However, that was an honor only reserved for those in military service.
What was The Beach Boys founder Dennis Wilson’s cause of death?
When homicide investigators were called to the scene of Dennis Wilson’s death, they claimed there was no reason to suspect foul play. After the coroner’s report was released, it was announced that the Beach Boys drummer died of “accidental drowning.” According to the toxicology reports, Wilson’s blood alcohol level was at 0.26 when he died, which is over twice the legal limit to drive in California.
Dennis Wilson’s brother and fellow Beach Boys member, Carl, reportedly was not satisfied with the burial-at-sea. He wished his brother to be buried with their father, Murray, in Inglewood Cemetery in Inglewood, California. However, another one of his brothers, Jardine, claimed that they all knew about Dennis’ love for the ocean. He said that it made complete sense for him to return to the sea.
“Cuddle Up,” “Got to Know the Woman,” and “Slip on Through” are some of Dennis Wilson’s most famous collaborations. “Pacific Ocean Blue” was a solo album he recorded in 1977. The album sold over 200,000 copies when it was released. In 1971, he co-starred with James Taylor in “Two Lane Blacktop.” “I Get Around,” “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls,” and “Little Bird” are songs by the Beach Boys that Wilson reportedly co-wrote.
When he died, Dennis Wilson was a father of five and a passionate surfer. He often wrote songs about the ocean and surfing. In 1988, he was posthumously entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with the other Beach Boys.
The Beach Boys documentary premiered on May 24, 2024, and is currently streaming on Disney+.
