How did Billy Hinsche die? Beach Boys singer was 'ravaged like out of control train'
Singer and songwriter Billy Hinsche, who was well-known for his musical collaborations with Dino Martin Jr. and Desi Arnaz Jr in the 1960s, has died at the age of 70 years. The 'Beach Boys' alum passed away on Saturday, November 20, 2021, as confirmed by his longtime friend and Desi Arnaz Jr's sister Lucie Arnaz. Hinsche's tragic death was followed by the death of his mother, Celia, who died on the same day at the age of 95 years. Celia was reportedly at a hospice where she died within six hours of Billy's death.
"One of the finest humans, friends, storytellers, and musicians, on the entire planet just went home to rest. Billy Hinsche has died. 70 years young," Lucie Arnaz mourned Hinsche's death in an Instagram post. She further added, "He was my brother, Desi's, oldest and closest friend. In their rock group from the '60s, he was Dino, Desi, and Billy's most talented member. He had never stopped working as a musician. Played with every incarnation of The Beach Boys for decades. And, during COVID, performed a wonderful show each and every week from his home in Henderson, NV. called "Billy's Place". I urge you to go to his YouTube site and watch them all. They are a history of rock and roll music and stories. Nobody told a story like Billy."
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How did Billy Hinsche die?
According to Lucie Arnaz, Hinsche died from giant cell carcinoma, a rare but deadly type of cancer. He was reportedly diagnosed only a few weeks ago but succumbed to the disease before undergoing sustained treatment. "It ravaged him like an out of control train," Arnaz shared in her heartbreaking post, adding that she was like a sister to Billy Hinsche.
Born in June 1951, Billy Hinsche was a Filipino by birth but later his family moved to Beverly Hills, California. He met Dean Martin and Desi Arnaz in high school and formed their band, who opened for 'The Beach Boys', Paul Revere & The Raiders throughout the '70s and '80s.
In the 1960s, Billy Hinsche was part of a musical trio with Dino Martin and Desi Arnaz named Dino, Desi & Billy. He primarily composed music for the band aside from vocalizing as well. Throughout his prolonged career in music, Hinsche collaborated with top artists like Joan Jett, America, Dennis Wilson, Warren Zevon, and others.
Alongside being a musician, Billy Hinsche also held a fine arts degree from the University of California and helped produce multiple documentaries on The Beach Boys. He was also a board member of the Carl Wilson Foundation which funded cancer research and helped cancer patients.