Even if you don’t know his name or his face, you undoubtedly know Brian Wilson’s music. After all, he penned many of the songs that defined a generation. Founder of the Beach Boys, Wilson is also the brainchild behind such classics as “Good Vibrations.”

The Beach Boys were undoubtedly one of the most popular bands of the 1960s, a popularity that continued, to one degree or another, throughout the ensuing four decades. Still, Wilson found the need to break free and focus on a solo career, which he did with the 1988 release of his self-titled debut album. The album featured the single, “Love and Mercy,” but success eluded the prominent songwriter as his former band, the Beach Boys, basked in the glow of success with the smash hit “Kokomo.” Around the same time, Wilson’s tell all biography, “Wouldn’t It Be Nice – My Own Story,” hit book shelves. In his memoir, Wilson bared all about his life, including bouts with mental illness and his abusive father.

Still, success was illusive for the former Beach Boy. While the Beach Boys sizzled, Wilson stalled to the point of having his sophomore effort rejected by his label, Sire Records.

Wilson took the time he needed to rebound, and he returned to the music scene in 1995 with the two albums, “Orange Crates,” and “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times.” “I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times” accompanied a documentary, of the same name, about Wilson.

His next album didn’t appear for another three years. With 1998’s “Imagination,” Wilson was once again in the spotlight. While the album wasn’t a flop it wasn’t necessarily a success either, and Wilson responded by hitting the road. Brian Wilson tickets were a hot item at the time, especially with die-hard Beach Boys’ fans.

The result of his tours was the live albums “Live At The Roxy Theater” (2000) and “Pet Sounds Live” (2002). Two years later, Wilson returned with a brand new album, “Getting’ In Over My Head,” which garnered little attention or acclaim.

Wilson’s latest album, “SMiLE,” was released in 2004.