Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford | |
|---|---|
 Wilson-Rutherford in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Marilyn Rovell |
| Also known as | Marilyn Wilson |
| Born | February 6, 1948 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Formerly of | |
| Spouse | |
Marilyn Wilson-Rutherford (née Rovell; born February 6, 1948) is an American singer who is best known as the first wife of Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson. She was also a member of two girl groups, the Honeys in the 1960s and American Spring in the 1970s.
Raised in Los Angeles, Marilyn started her singing career in the late 1950s, initially as part of a family singing trio, the Rovell Sisters, with her siblings Diane and Barbara. Through a mutual connection with musician Gary Usher, Marilyn met Brian at a Beach Boys concert in August 1962. Brian subsequently renamed the Rovell Sisters to "the Honeys" and wrote and produced several of their records.
Marilyn married Brian in December 1964 and together had two children, Carnie and Wendy Wilson, who later formed two-thirds of Wilson Phillips. The couple's early marital struggles were reflected in the melancholic lyrical content from the Beach Boys' 1966 album Pet Sounds (particularly the songs "Caroline, No" and "You Still Believe in Me"). In 1971, she and Diane formed American Spring, with Brian again acting as producer and songwriter.
Marilyn and Wilson divorced in 1979. She continues to occasionally perform concerts with the Honeys.