Reg Presley, the English rock and roll singer from the Troggs, passed away yesterday after a long fought battle with lung cancer. In 1966, the Troggs broke on to the international scene when their massive hit, “Wild Thing,” went to #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, selling more than one million copies and catapulting the group into worldwide fame.
Presley’s bold vocals along with the group’s catchy guitar riffs and pounding drums allowed the Troggs to ride wave of the British Invasion with famously influential acts such as The Rolling Stones, The Who and of course, The Beatles. They followed up “Wild Thing” with tunes such as “With A Girl Like You,” (also a chart topper) and another top 10 track, “Love Is All Around.”
Originally named Reg Ball, Presley had found work as a bricklayer before he decided to create the Troggs in 1964. Throughout his time with the Troggs, they released 11 studio albums and toured consistently. Presley himself continued to tour up until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2012.
Presley will be missed, but his memory will be kept alive through his garage-rock records.
By: D.D.
