Rock legend Greg Kihn has died aged 75 following a battle with Alzheimer’s.
The 80s musician – known for hits Jeopardy and The Breakup Song, died 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 echo 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 landed at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 – just behind Michael Jackson’s hit, Beat It.
Born in Baltimore, Greg rose to fame in the 1980s with The Greg Kihn Band – after years spent playing coffee houses.
Rock legend Greg Kihn has died aged 75 following a battle with Alzheimer’s – pictured 2018
The 80s musician – known for hits Jeopardy and The Breakup Song, died Tuesday – pictured 1980
When Kihn was 17, his mother submitted a tape of one of his original songs to the talent contest of the big local Top 40 radio station WCAO, which he won, taking home a typewriter, records, and a Vox electric guitar.
He moved to California where he painted houses – later meeting future bandmate and Earth Quake guitarist Gary Phillips.
He was later signed to Matthew King Kaufman’s Beserkley Records.
In 1976, he recorded his first album with his own ensemble, called The Greg Kihn Band consisting of Robbie Dunbar (guitar), Steve Wright (bass), and Larry Lynch (drums).
In 1981, The Breakup Song charted at number 15 on The Billboard Hot 100,
He later released albums Kihntinued (1982), Kihnspiracy (1983), Kihntageous (1984), and Citizen Kihn (1985).
Worldwide hit Jeopardy also featured a groundbreaking music video with a Night of the Living Dead theme.
In the 1980s Kihn opened shows for bands including Journey, the Grateful Dead, and the Rolling Stones.
From 1996-2012 Kihn was a DJ for KUFX and released 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 echo in our hearts and inspire countless souls’ – pictured 2003
Kihn (second left) is seen with the Greg Kihn Band in 1981 – L-R Steve Wright, Dave Carpender, Gary Phillips and Larry Lynch
