LEGENDARY 1960s Musician In Decline, Family Asks For Conservatorship

Today is a sad day, I know many will take this news even harder than I did.

Legendary 1960s musician Brian Wilson, the man responsible for writing many of the Beach Boys’ hits, is reportedly suffering from dementia.

This has been known for a while, but recent reports indicate that Wilson’s family has filed to place him under a conservatorship.

The family filed the request following the death of Wilson’s wife Melinda Ledbetter. Melinda reportedly cared for Wilson and provided for all his daily needs.

However, the family claims that without Melinda, Brian Wilson now needs caretakers to oversee his personal and financial life. Here’s what we currently know:

The family of Brian Wilson is seeking a conservatorship for the 81-year-old Beach Boys co-founder just weeks after the death of his longtime wife, Melinda Ledbetter. https://t.co/PG4pY2ziTo pic.twitter.com/XmpEwTE3jm

— ABC News (@ABC) February 17, 2024

The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson is suffering from dementia and is being placed under a conservatorship: https://t.co/Vmed1HrZaP pic.twitter.com/F7MuMfETj6

— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) February 16, 2024

According to NTD News:

The petition asks a judge to appoint two longtime Wilson representatives—publicist Jean Sievers and manager LeeAnn Hard—to be conservators overseeing his personal and medical decisions because “Mr. Wilson is unable to properly provide for his own personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter.”

The two women “have had a close relationship with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson for many years, and Mr. Wilson trusts them,” according to the filing.

Citizen Journalist Julia provided more context for the family’s request to place Wilson in a conservatorship:

Court documents indicate Wilson “does NOT have the capacity to informed consent to the administration of medications appropriate to the care and treatment of major neurocognitive disorders (including dementia).”

Brian’s family put out a statement saying, in part, “Following the passing of Brian’s beloved wife Melinda, after careful consideration and consultation among Brian, his seven children, Gloria Ramos and Brian’s doctors (and consistent with family processes put in place by Brian and Melinda), we are confirming that longtime Wilson family representatives LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian’s co-conservators of the person…

Brian will be able to enjoy all of his family and friends and continue to work on current projects as well as participate in any activities he chooses.”

The filing also states Wilson’s “fear, depression, helplessness” are “severely inappropriate,” and a doctor is quoted saying Wilson is “easily distracted,” “often makes…irrelevant or incoherent utterances,” and “has very short attention span.”

Wilson is widely considered one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century, writing many of the The Beach Boys’ hits. Last month, Wilson’s longtime wife Melinda died at age 77.”

Beach Boys' Brian Wilson, 81, is reportedly suffering from dementia. His family has requested a conservatorship be set up to ensure proper treatment of his "major neurocognitive disorder (including dementia)."

Court documents indicate Wilson "does NOT have the capacity to… pic.twitter.com/vLffQMBwSd

— Julia 🇺🇸 (@Jules31415) February 16, 2024

Brian Wilson is the 20th-century American equivalent of Beethoven and Bach. History will vindicate him as such. https://t.co/9ddDHXw6hr

— Jeff Betten (@JeffBetten) February 16, 2024

Fox News featured this statement as per the conservatorship filing:

“This decision was made to ensure that there will be no extreme changes to the household and Brian and the children living at home will be taken care of and remain in the home where they are cared for by Gloria Ramos and the wonderful team at the house who have been in place for many years helping take care of the family,” the statement continued.

“Brian will be able to enjoy all of his family and friends and continue to work on current projects as well as participate in any activities he chooses.”