Carl Wilson Net Worth

Carl Wilson was an American singer, musician, songwriter and composer who had an estimated net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 1998. Adjusted for inflation, that would be roughly $20 million in today’s money.

Wilson was best known as a founding member, lead guitarist and occasional lead vocalist of the Beach Boys. He was the younger brother of Brian Wilson and Dennis Wilson and the cousin of Mike Love.

Carl became an important creative force in the Beach Boys after Brian Wilson stopped touring in 1965. He took over as the group’s onstage musical leader and later became one of its principal vocalists and producers.

Among the songs on which Carl performed lead vocals were “God Only Knows,” “Good Vibrations,” “Darlin’,” “Wild Honey” and “Girl Don’t Tell Me.”

Wilson also enjoyed a solo career, worked as a producer and provided backing vocals for several major artists. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beach Boys in 1988.

Carl Wilson died from lung cancer on February 6, 1998, at the age of 51.

Early Life

Carl Wilson was born on December 21, 1946, in Hawthorne, California.

He was the youngest of the three Wilson brothers. His older brothers Brian and Dennis would later join him in forming the Beach Boys.

Carl developed an interest in music at an early age. By 11, he was practicing singing and harmonizing with Brian.

At 12, Carl asked his parents for a guitar. Brian helped him develop his musical skills, while Carl gradually developed his own guitar style.

His playing was influenced by rock and roll guitarists, particularly Chuck Berry, and his guitar work eventually became an important part of the Beach Boys’ sound.

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys began taking shape in 1961, with Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine forming the core group.

When the band’s first major hit, “Surfin’,” became popular, Carl was only 15 years old.

His father and the group’s manager, Murry Wilson, recognized Carl’s potential and bought him a Fender Jaguar guitar.

Carl quickly developed as a guitarist. By the mid-1960s, his playing had become an important component of the band’s recordings.

He also began contributing as a songwriter. In 1964, he co-wrote “Dance, Dance, Dance” with Brian Wilson and Mike Love.

Carl’s responsibilities within the group increased significantly after Brian stopped touring in 1965.

Although Brian remained the band’s primary creative force, Carl became its musical director on the road. Concert contracts sometimes specifically identified the group as “Carl Wilson plus four other musicians.”

Carl Wilson’s Role as Lead Vocalist

Carl increasingly took on lead vocal responsibilities during the Beach Boys’ most successful period.

His performance on “God Only Knows” helped establish him as one of the band’s leading vocalists.

He subsequently sang lead on major Beach Boys recordings including “Good Vibrations,” “Darlin'” and “Wild Honey.”

His smooth vocal style provided a contrast to the distinctive voices of Brian Wilson and Mike Love.

Carl also became increasingly involved in producing the band’s recordings.

In 1969, he produced “I Can Hear Music” and subsequently became an important production figure as the Beach Boys entered the 1970s.

Carl Wilson as a Producer and Songwriter

Carl expanded his responsibilities beyond performing.

He produced and contributed to several Beach Boys albums during the early 1970s, including Surf’s Up, Carl and the Passions – “So Tough” and Holland.

His songwriting also became more prominent.

However, Brian Wilson eventually resumed a more prominent leadership role in the group after Holland, while Carl dealt with personal and substance-abuse problems.

Despite the changes within the band, Carl remained an important member throughout the Beach Boys’ later years.

Beach Boys’ Comeback

The Beach Boys experienced another major commercial success in the 1980s.

Carl returned to the group’s activities after taking a temporary leave of absence, and in 1988 the band achieved its first US No. 1 single in more than two decades with “Kokomo.”

Carl sang lead on the song and continued recording and performing with the group during the 1990s.

The success of “Kokomo” demonstrated the continuing commercial appeal of the Beach Boys and helped introduce the group to a new generation.

Solo Career

Carl Wilson also pursued music outside the Beach Boys.

During the 1970s, he produced recordings for other artists, including Ricci Martin, the son of Dean Martin, and the South African group The Flames.

He also provided backing vocals for artists such as Elton John and David Lee Roth.

In 1981, Wilson released his first solo album, Carl Wilson.

The album featured rock and roll material and received modest commercial success. Its single “Heaven” reached the Top 20 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.

Wilson subsequently toured in support of the album and became the first Beach Boys member to achieve notable success with a solo project.

He later released his second solo album, Youngblood, in 1983.

Carl Wilson’s Personal Life

Carl Wilson was married twice.

His first marriage was to Annie Hinsche, the sister of musician Billy Hinsche, who frequently performed with the Beach Boys.

The couple had two sons before eventually separating.

Wilson later married Gina Martin, the daughter of entertainer Dean Martin, in 1987.

Gina accompanied Carl during his tours and remained married to him until his death.

Wilson also became an ordained minister in 1988.

Earlier in his life, he identified as a conscientious objector and refused military service during the Vietnam War.

Carl Wilson’s Health Problems

Wilson was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1997 after becoming ill at his vacation home in Hawaii.

He began chemotherapy but continued working with the Beach Boys despite his illness.

Wilson remained committed to performing and participated in the band’s 1997 summer tour.

His illness was widely believed to have been connected to his long history of cigarette smoking, which had begun during his teenage years.

Carl Wilson’s Death

Carl Wilson died from lung cancer on February 6, 1998, in Los Angeles. He was 51.

He died surrounded by family, less than two months after the death of his mother, Audree Wilson.

Wilson was buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

His death marked another major loss for the Beach Boys following the passing of his brother Dennis in 1983.

Also Read: Brian Wilson Net Worth