Claim: The Beach Boys included drums.

Dennis Carl Wilson -LRB- December 4 , 1944 -- December 28 , 1983 -RRB- was an American musician , singer , and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys . He is best remembered as their drummer and as the middle brother of bandmates Brian and Carl Wilson . Dennis was the only true surfer in the Beach Boys , and his personal life exemplified the `` California Myth '' that the band 's early songs often celebrated . He was also known for his brief association with then-aspiring songwriter Charles Manson , who was later convicted of murder conspiracy .   Dennis served mainly on drums and backing vocals for the Beach Boys from its formation until his death in 1983 . It is often erroneously stated that Dennis ' drumming in the band 's recordings was filled in exclusively by studio musicians . His drumming is documented on a number of the group 's singles , including `` I Get Around '' -LRB- 1964 -RRB- , `` Fun , Fun , Fun '' -LRB- 1964 -RRB- , and `` Do n't Worry Baby '' -LRB- 1964 -RRB- . While he was allowed few lead vocals in the 1960s , his prominence as a singer-songwriter increased into the 1970s . His original songs for the group included `` Little Bird '' -LRB- 1968 -RRB- , `` Forever '' -LRB- 1970 -RRB- , and `` Slip On Through '' -LRB- 1970 -RRB- . Although uncredited , Wilson helped pen `` You Are So Beautiful '' , a hit for Joe Cocker in 1974 . His music has been characterized for reflecting `` his edginess and exhibited little of his happy charm , setting it apart from Brian 's music . ... By all appearances the happy-go-lucky Beach Boy , Dennis Wilson lived out the proverbial live-fast-die-young motto . ... His wild side masked an underside that was , by turns , brooding , self-loathing , sensitive , and anxious . ''   Wilson 's only solo album , Pacific Ocean Blue -LRB- 1977 -RRB- , was released to warm reviews , but a moderate commercial reception . Written and recorded over a span of several years , the album peaked on US record charts at number 96 during a 12-week stay . Sessions for a follow-up , Bambu , disintegrated before his death in 1983 . Five years later , Wilson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beach Boys .