Greg Kihn dead at 75: Rock legend behind hits Jeopardy and The Breakup Song passes away after Alzheimer’s battle
Rock legend Greg Kihn has died at the age of 75 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
The 1980s musician, known for hits like Jeopardy and The Breakup Song, died on Tuesday.
A tribute on his social media page read: ‘Rest in peace, dear Greg. Your music, your voice, your stories, your spirit and your passion will forever resonate in our hearts and inspire countless souls.’
Kihn is survived by two children: son Ry, a guitarist, and Lexi, a nurse.
His 1983 hit Jeopardy peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, just behind Michael Jackson’s hit Beat It.
Greg was born in Baltimore and rose to fame in the 1980s with The Greg Kihn Band, after years of performing in coffee houses.
Rock legend Greg Kihn has died at age 75 after a battle with Alzheimer’s – photo 2018
The 80s musician – known for hits Jeopardy and The Breakup Song – died Tuesday – photo 1980
When Kihn was 17, his mother sent a tape of one of his songs to the talent show hosted by the major local Top 40 radio station WCAO. He won the contest and went home with a typewriter, records and a Vox electric guitar.
He moved to California, where he painted houses and later met his future bandmate and Earth Quake guitarist Gary Phillips.
He later signed a contract with Matthew King Kaufman’s Beserkley Records.
In 1976 he recorded his first album with his own ensemble, The Greg Kihn Band, consisting of Robbie Dunbar (guitar), Steve Wright (bass) and Larry Lynch (drums).
In 1981, The Breakup Song reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100,
He later released the albums Kihntinued (1982), Kihnspiracy (1983), Kihntageous (1984) and Citizen Kihn (1985).
The worldwide hit Jeopardy also featured a groundbreaking music video with a Night of the Living Dead theme.
In the 1980s, Kihn opened for bands such as Journey, the Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones.
From 1996-2012, Kihn was a DJ for KUFX and published horror novels. His debut novel Horror Show Horror Show was nominated for the prestigious Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel.
A tribute on his social media page read: ‘Rest in peace dear Greg. Your music, your voice, your stories, your spirit and your passion will forever resonate in our hearts and inspire countless souls’ – pictured in 2003
Kihn (second from left) is seen with the Greg Kihn Band in 1981 – L-R Steve Wright, Dave Carpender, Gary Phillips and Larry Lynch