English rocker, The Troggs' frontman Reg Presley has died at the age of 71. MSN reported on Monday, Feb. 4 that the "Wild Thing" hit maker died in his home in Andover, England after a year-long battle with lung cancer.
Reg Presley's daughter Karen confirmed Presley's death telling WENN "He passed away peacefully at home, and myself, my brother and our mother were with him. We're absolutely heartbroken."
Presley was diagnosed with cancer early last year and announced his retirement in a post on The Troggs' official website. He wrote, "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.
"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."
Reg Presley is best known as an English singer-songwriter, and as the lead singer with prominent 1960s rock and roll band The Troggs, whose best known hit was "Wild Thing", though their only UK number one single was the follow-up "With a Girl Like You".
Presley was born Reginald Maurice Ball in Andover in 1941. Aside from being a musician, he also made a name for himself as an avid alien researcher who specialized in crop circles and signs of extra-terrestrial life on earth.
His most famous composition is "Love Is All Around". Wet Wet Wet's 1994 cover stayed at No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart for fifteen weeks. Presley used his royalties from that cover to fund his research into crop circles and outlined his findings in a book, Wild Things They Don't Tell Us, published in October 2002.[1]
Reg Presley appears as a character in Steve Erickson's novel These Dreams of You (2012).
Keith Altham, music publicist and friend of Presley, posted a tribute to the 71-year-old singer/songwriter on his Facebook page.
It said: "My dear old pal Reg Presley of The Troggs died today at 1.00, surrounded by family and friends at his home in Andover following a succession of recent strokes and a losing battle with cancer.
"He was one very real person in a sometimes very unreal world. Our thoughts are with his wife Brenda and the the family and those legion of fans who loved his music and his band. I will miss him hugely."
Rest In Peace Reg Presley.
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