Dan McCafferty, the original lead singer of the Scottish hard rock band Nazareth, has died at the age of 76.
Longtime Nazareth bassist Pete Agnew announced the news on the band's Facebook account.
"Dan died at 12:40 today," Agnew wrote. "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."
McCafferty was born in Dunfermline, Fife. He became one of the founding members of Nazareth in 1968 along with Agnew, guitarist Manny Charlton and drummer Darrell Sweet. He appeared on all of Nazareth's albums up to 2014 and toured with them for 45 years. He co-wrote some of the big Nazareth hits, including "Broken Down Angel" and "Bad Bad Boy".
He also released three solo albums, a self-titled 1975 collection and 1987's Into the Ring, as well as his final solo effort, 2019's Last Testament.
McCafferty retired from touring in 2013 due to unspecified health issues. He was replaced by Linton Osborne in 2014, who in turn was switched for current singer Carl Sentance.
McCafferty was married and had two children.
(Photo: twistyfoldy.net)
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