Trivia

In 1968, Wilson picked up a couple of women hitchhikers and took them to his house to party. The women were associated with a wanna-be song-writer named Charles Manson, who invited himself to visit the Beach Boy. Wilson also picked up a male hitchhiker that year, drug dealer Charles 'Tex' Watson, whom Dennis invited to hang out at his house. In fact, Manson met "Tex" Watson at Wilson's house; the two would become partners in some of the most infamous murders of the 20th Century. Initially, Wilson tolerated Manson's presence at his house, as he brought his groupies with him. Wilson had encouraged Manson's musical ambitions and one of his songs, "Cease to Exist", appeared on the Beach Boys album "20/20" under the title "Never Learn Not to Love". Eventually, Wilson and his musical confederates whom had been introduced to Manson became disenchanted with him, despite the former pimp's provision of women, due to Charlie's fierce temper. Ultimately, Manson and his girls proved to be unwanted guests who tried to commandeer Wilson's house. Wilson, too intimidated to evict his guests, eventually moved out of his own house. Shortly thereafter, Manson and his followers left and began their descent into the hellish frenzy culminating in the Tate-LaBianca killings.

At his last concert in 1983, he lovingly hugged brother Brian Wilson after a song, causing Brian to exclaim "This my brother Dennis, you remember Dennis!" A barely audible (due to years of drug use and alcohol abuse) yet vibrant Dennis said to the audience "You know folks, if you knew what it was like to be singing, and playing... thank you so very much. You are so beautiful to me". It was the last time he appeared in public.

Only learned after falling in love with last wife Shawn that she was actually his cousin Mike Love's illegitimate daughter. Despite their distant blood relationship, Dennis and Shawn could legally marry - and doing so capped off for Dennis the hatred he'd felt for Mike, since the early Beach Boys days.

Although his brothers had vied for him to be buried in the family plot at Inglewood Cemetary, then-wife Shawn wound up winning a heated battle over what was to be done with his remains. Thus, he was cremated and buried at sea off the California coast by the U.S. Coast Guard on January 4, 1984 at coordinates (33-53.9 N, 118-38.8 W).

While the other Beach Boys objected to the material brother Brian recorded for their (never-completed) "Smile" album, Dennis brushed back tears listening to the rough tracks, telling Brian "It's beautiful... don't change a thing."

Was the only member of the The Beach Boys who could actually surf and excelled at the sport.

Inducted by Elton John into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of The Beach Boys) on 20 January 1988.

Friends often said that second wife, Barbara Charren was "the best thing that ever happened to him".

Was in a tumultuous relationship with singer Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac from 1979 to 1981.

Traditionally an honour for military personnel, Dennis Wilson was giving the honour of being buried at sea.

Even though Dennis often used to bully younger brother Carl during childhood, the two of them were very close as adults and frequently sided with each other over the creative direction of the Beach Boys toward a more progressive and experimental sound against Mike Love and Al Jardine who preferred more formulaic fare.

After his first marriage broke up in 1968, Dennis rented an old hunting lodge on Sunset Boulevard that had once belonged to screen legend Will Rogers. It was at this very lodge that he first encountered Charles Manson.

Drummer/singer, member of The Beach Boys.

Had four children. Daughter, Jennifer Wilson, was born in 1967, sons Michael Wilson on 19 February 1971, Carl Wilson on 31 December 1972 and Gage Wilson on 3 September 1982. He also adopted his first wife Carol's son, Scott, as his own in the mid-sixties.

He and The Beach Boys were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1500 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

Was expelled from high school shortly after he turned age 16 for getting into a fight with a classmate in the boys bathroom. The cause of the fight was a nickle lollipop that he stole.

Revealed in an interview with Circus Magazine in October of 1976 that he lost his virginity when he was "either 16 or 18".

Son, Carl Wilson, has followed in the musical footsteps of his father and performs in a band with his cousin, Justyn Wilson (his brother Carl Wilson's son), and their friend, Mario. The band is In Bloom.

Cousin of Mike Love.

Had the most in common with father 'Murry Wilson' of any of the Wilson brothers, including his temper; while Brian and Carl usually submitted to their father's bullying, Dennis fought back. Later, Dennis was the one who spent the most time with Murry, before his death.

Ex-brother-in-law of Marilyn Wilson.

Uncle of Carnie Wilson, Justyn Wilson and Wendy Wilson.

Was the last member of The Beach Boys to learn to play an instrument; their first single had brother Brian Wilson improvising drum sounds with a pie-pan.

Made his one and only film in the '70s cult classic, Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) at the age of 25.

Son of Murry Wilson and Audree Wilson.

Middle brother of Brian Wilson and Carl Wilson.