Dennis Wilson Net Worth - Pulptastic

What was Dennis Wilson’s Net Worth?

Dennis Wilson, co-founder and drummer of the Beach Boys, had a net worth of $20 million at the peak of his life. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide and was ranked by Rolling Stone as the 12th Greatest Artist of All Time. Dennis, the middle brother of Carl and Brian Wilson, was the only regular surfer in the band and recorded 24 studio albums with them.

However, Dennis struggled with alcohol and drugs, and was banned from Beach Boys events. He died at the age of 39, nearly broke and living on a boat in Marina Del Rey, California. Dennis was also known for his association with the Manson Family cult and his co-starring role in the 1971 film “Two-Lane Blacktop.”

Dennis Wilson’s Early Life

Dennis Wilson was born on December 4, 1944 in Inglewood, California as the second son of Murry and Audree. He grew up in Hawthorne with his older brother Brian and younger brother Carl. Dennis was known for his rambunctious behavior and frequently retreated to his bedroom to listen to music after being beaten by his father. He learned to play the piano at 14 and began taking drum lessons in high school at the age of 16.

The Beach Boys and Dennis Wilson

The Beach Boys formed in late 1961, with original members Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine. Their debut record, “Surfin’,” was a regional success on the West Coast. Dennis was the only member of the band who actually surfed. The group continued to cultivate their surfer image with albums such as “Surfin’ Safari,” “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” and “Surfer Girl.”

Dennis had limited vocal opportunities on early Beach Boys records, but sang more on the 1965 album “The Beach Boys Today!” He also began using LSD around the time of the groundbreaking 1966 album “Pet Sounds.” In 1968, he wrote the first major Beach Boys composition with “Little Bird,” which was featured on the album “Friends.” Dennis continued to write songs for the band, including “Forever,” “Slip On Through,” “Got to Know the Woman,” and “It’s About Time,” even as the popularity of the Beach Boys declined in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Dennis Wilson’s Unreleased Album “Bambu”

In 1977, Dennis Wilson released his debut studio album as a solo artist, “Pacific Ocean Blue.” The album was well received by critics.

Wilson intended to follow it up with “Bambu,” on which he collaborated with Beach Boys keyboardist Carli Muñoz. However, “Bambu” was ultimately aborted due to a lack of financing.

In 2008, some tracks from the album were included as bonus songs on the original CD issue of “Pacific Ocean Blue.”

Dennis Wilson’s Acting Career

Beyond his music career, Wilson co-starred in Monte Hellman’s 1971 road movie “Two-Lane Blacktop.” In the film, he plays a character called the Mechanic, one of a pair of street racers who drift around the United States challenging others to impromptu drag races.

Dennis Wilson’s Involvement with the Manson Family

In 1968, Dennis Wilson picked up two female hitchhikers who introduced him to their guru, Charles Manson. Wilson became fascinated by the Manson Family and housed members at his residence. However, after the Family destroyed some of Wilson’s cars and robbed him of his possessions, he distanced himself from Manson. Manson later demanded money from Wilson and he received death threats from the Family for years.

Dennis Wilson’s Personal Life and Tragic End

Dennis Wilson was married four times in his life. He wed Carole Freedman in 1965 and had a daughter and son. They divorced in 1967. He then married Barbara Charren and had two sons with her before they divorced. Wilson was then twice married and divorced to actress Karen Lamm. In 1979, he dated Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac for three years.

By the late 70s, Wilson struggled with addiction to alcohol, cocaine, and heroin. In 1983, his Beach Boys band mates warned him to go to rehab or else he wouldn’t be allowed to perform with them again. He checked into a therapy center in Arizona, then a hospital in Santa Monica, and then a different hospital after a violent altercation. However, he began drinking again immediately after leaving the hospital. On December 28, 1983, Wilson drowned while diving in Marina Del Rey after a day of heavy drinking. His body was buried at sea by the US Coast Guard the next year.

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