Deep purple HQ: What a sad world” Deep purple stars in serious silent as top 20 melody star has been officially cast away” through a historical death” tribute song on the way…
According to a statement from his management company, rock singer Greg Kihn, who achieved Top 20 pop successes with “The Breakup Song” and “Jeopardy,” has passed away. Longtime managers Joel and Skyler Turtle said in a statement on Thursday that Kihn passed away on Tuesday, August 13, following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. His age was 75.
Kihn broke through with “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em’),” a Top 20 hit in 1981. He scored his signature hit two years later with “Jeopardy,” a tune that went to number two and earned the career honor of a “Weird Al” Yankovic parody. (The Weird Al version changed the concept “our love’s in jeopardy” to the game-show gag “I lost on Jeopardy!”)
Kihn had additional hits on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, including “Testify,” “Reunited” and “Lucky.” Over the course of his career he developed a quirk of working his name into album-title puns, such as “Kihnspiracy.” A greatest hits compilation was appropriately titled “KihnSolidation.”
A eulogy written by Skyler Turtle described Kihn as “not merely a musician but a cultural phenomenon.”
With a unique songwriting style that blended folk, classic rock, blues and pop, his sound helped define a rich musical legacy in the San Francisco Bay Area scene,” Turtle wrote. “He was celebrated not only for his musical genius, but also for his ability to connect deeply with fans through powerful lyrics and unforgettable storytelling.
As a former Morning Radio host for KFOX for 17 years, as well as a syndicated night time radio host across the country, Greg related to and captivated his audiences with real world issues and hysterical tales from his Rock Star escapades.
Beyond the world of music and radio, Greg was renowned as a great storyteller and novelist with 6 published novels and a multitude of short stories,” Turtle wrote.
“He had a unique hobby of breeding rare praying mantis … His kindness and generosity extended far beyond the stage, as he engaged in initiatives to support Operation Care and Comfort as well as other organizations.”
According to the information released Thursday, “A private memorial celebration of his extraordinary life and legacy will take place with friends and family. A public celebration of life concert for fans and fellow musicians will be announced in the near future.”
Kihn’s survivors include his wife, Jay Arafiles-Kihn, son Ryan Kihn and daughter Alexis Harrington-Kihn. The family has requested that donations be made in his name to The Alzheimer’s foundation.
