MONTREAL, CANADA – 1st SEPTEMBER: Singer Dan McCafferty from Scottish rock group Nazareth posed in Montreal, Canada in September 1976. (photo by Fin Costello/Redferns)
Redferns
Dan McCafferty, lead singer of the hard rock band Nazareth, known for such ’70s hits as “Love Hurts” and “Hair of the Dog,” died Tuesday at age 76. No cause of death was immediately given, although he had retired from the group in 2013, after a 45-year run, due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
McCafferty (pictured above in 1976) was one of the founding members of the Scottish group when it formed in 1968. After taking his leave of the group nine years ago due to his inability to sing at length any longer, he did continue to do some work in the studio, releasing a final solo album in 2019.
The group’s bassist, Pete Agnew, posted confirmation of McCafferty’s death on social media. “Dan died at 12:40 today,” he wrote on the band’s Instagram account Tuesday. “This is the saddest announcement I ever had to make. Maryann and the family have lost a wonderful loving husband and father, I have lost my best friend and the world has lost one of the greatest singers who ever lived. Too upset to say anything more at this time.”
Leave a Reply