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Reg Presley of The Troggs dies aged 71 | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Reg Presley, singer with 1960s British rock band The Troggs, has died aged 71. | |
The frontman died at his home in Hampshire surrounded by his family, his daughter Karen said. | The frontman died at his home in Hampshire surrounded by his family, his daughter Karen said. |
The Troggs had a number of hit songs, including Wild Thing and Love Is All Around, which was covered in the 90s with huge success by Wet Wet Wet. | |
Presley had announced his retirement from music a year ago after being taken ill during a concert in Germany and being diagnosed with lung cancer. | Presley had announced his retirement from music a year ago after being taken ill during a concert in Germany and being diagnosed with lung cancer. |
Music publicist Keith Altham said on Facebook his "dear old pal" had died after "a succession of recent strokes and a losing battle with cancer". | Music publicist Keith Altham said on Facebook his "dear old pal" had died after "a succession of recent strokes and a losing battle with cancer". |
BBC 6 Music presenter Marc Riley paid tribute to the "great character" of Presley. | BBC 6 Music presenter Marc Riley paid tribute to the "great character" of Presley. |
"He was so engaging and, at the same time, having been so influential, he was so humble and so likeable," he said. | |
In January 2012, in a letter to fans posted on his band's website, Presley said: "As you all know I was taken ill whilst doing a gig in Germany in December. During my stay in hospital tests showed that in fact I have lung cancer. | |
"I am receiving chemotherapy treatment and at the moment not feeling too bad. | "I am receiving chemotherapy treatment and at the moment not feeling too bad. |
"However I've had to call time on The Troggs and retire. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the cards and calls and for your love, loyalty and support over the years." | "However I've had to call time on The Troggs and retire. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the cards and calls and for your love, loyalty and support over the years." |
Presley was born in Andover, Hampshire, and founded The Troggs in the early 1960s. | Presley was born in Andover, Hampshire, and founded The Troggs in the early 1960s. |
The band's other hits included With A Girl Like You and I Can't Control Myself. | The band's other hits included With A Girl Like You and I Can't Control Myself. |
The 1967 hit Love Is All Around became a hit song again 27 years later when a cover version by Scottish band Wet Wet Wet remained at number one in the UK for 15 weeks. | The 1967 hit Love Is All Around became a hit song again 27 years later when a cover version by Scottish band Wet Wet Wet remained at number one in the UK for 15 weeks. |
The success of the Wet Wet Wet single, which featured on the soundtrack of the hit film Four Weddings and a Funeral, allowed Presley to pursue his interest in crop circles and UFOs. | |
The singer published a book, Wild Things They Don't Tell Us, about the paranormal in 2002. | The singer published a book, Wild Things They Don't Tell Us, about the paranormal in 2002. |
Alan Clayson, who wrote biography The Troggs: Rock's Wild Things told the BBC Presley was a "local hero", describing him as a "world expert on crop circles" with an "intelligence within". | |
"I must admit since I knew him I became a great deal less cynical about that," said Clayson. | |
"Reading his book, it's got an intellectual depth of a University professor rather than a former brick-layer from Andover." | |
Your memories of Reg Presley | |
Reg was our next door neighbour in the early 80s when we lived in Andover. I was only a young kid at the time but I remember him vividly as a larger than life character. When we moved, he built the extension to our house. He was a skilled builder. I also saw him and the Troggs play live at an open air gig in Andover. Rest in peace Reg, you made a positive difference to so many people's lives. Matt Spires, Bristol | |
I met Reg many times when we were both signed to the same record company during the 70s and later during the "Oldie" revival in Germany during the 90s. He was a funny fellow and always had a joke ready. He made us laugh a lot - not a bad thing to be remembered for. John Kincade, Alingsås, Sweden | |
I first met Reg 40 years ago when I was a singer in a band and we were the support act whilst we all performed at an army base in the UK. Then many years later I too was obsessed with UFOS and crop circles and asked Reg if he would give a talk at one of our conferences held on the subjects of mysteries of the world. He was a great man very funny and likable. He will be missed by many. Kerry McKenna, Wiltshire | |
Reg Presley had a unique voice and in the sixties where a lot of bands were trying to make it in the charts the Troggs produced a sound that were all their own. Wild Thing started with a guitar riff that once you heard it was instantly recognisable. RIP Ron Smith, Basingstoke, Hampshire | |
I was in a band called The Victims during the mid-70s in New York and opened a couple of shows for the Troggs. Reg gave me a copy of Love Is All Around. What a gentleman. Barry Ryan, New Jersey, USA | |
As the bass player with 70s band Christie, I worked with Reg many times in the 90s in live concerts and TV shows, mainly in Germany. He was a mild-mannered, engaging character. Once, we were about to go on stage at an outdoor festival and the heavens opened. "That's not good Reg", I said, and he replied in that lovely West Country accent, somewhat enigmatically: "Oi loik the rain!" He'll be missed. RIP Reg. Kev Moore, Turre, Spain | |
He was my heartthrob all through my teens never mind the Beatles and that!! They were my band - I remember getting the LP for Christmas in the 60s and the front cover was them sitting in a big Rolls Royce with their infamous white suits on!! But had to wait till the 80s to see them live may you R.I.P. Reg you made a young girl very happy in her teens xxxxxx Sandy, Newcastle upon Tyne |