Dan McCafferty Death: Former Nazareth Frontman Dead at 76, Obituary News: The 76-year-old Dan McCafferty was the former frontman of Scottish hard rock pioneers Nazareth.
The Dunfermline-born singer’s pal Pete Agnew, the lone original Nazareth member still performing with the group, posted the sad news of his passing on Facebook.
“Dan died at 12:40 today,” Agnew posted on Facebook. “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.
Born on October 14, 1946, McCafferty co-founded Nazareth with Agnew, guitarist Manny Charlton and drummer Darrell Sweet in 1968.
The group’s best known album, Hair Of The Dog, their sixth long-player, was released in 1975, selling over two million copies worldwide, on the back of the quartet’s cover of Boudleaux Bryant’s ballad Love Hurts, previously covered by The Everley Brothers, which was a Top 10 hit in the US. The album’s title track was later covered by Guns N’ Roses.
The singer retired from touring in August 2013, due to health issues. His former bandmate Manny Charlton passed away in July.
