Reg Presley Of The Troggs Dies Aged 71

Lead singer of '60s rock band The Troggs, Reg Presley, has passed away in his home in Andover, England, just over 12 months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

The Troggs' biggest claim to fame was their 1966 number one single Wild Thing, their rendition of the iconic Chip Taylor penned rock song the most famous if not the first one ever released. That song, which was their second single, cemented The Troggs as one of the many British rock bands of the time to keep an eye on and not long after its release the band issued With A Girl Like You, another number one hit, but this one written by Presley himself.

The band had a string of hits that followed; most notably was the Presley penned Love Is All Around, which ended up being Presley's most successful song thanks to an enormously popular cover by British band Wet Wet Wet back in 1994, which hit the top of the charts all over the world.

In recent years, Presley has been known as a vehement researcher of crop circles and UFOs, releasing a book entitled Wild Things They Don't Tell Us back in 2002.

Presley fell ill during a show in German in January last year and was soon diagnosed with lung cancer. At the time he said he was feeling alright, but saw it as a sign to discontinue his musical career.

"I am receiving chemotherapy treatment and at the moment not feeling too bad. However I've had to call time on The Troggs and retire,” he said on his website at the time. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the cards and calls and for your love, loyalty and support over the years … I shall miss you all. Lots of Love."

Speaking with W-E-N-N today, Presley's daughter said that he was surrounded by family when he passed away peacefully.

“He passed away peacefully at home and myself, my brother and our mother were with him. We're absolutely heartbroken.”