Dan McCafferty, founding member of Scottish rock band Nazareth, has died.
News of the singer’s death at the age of 76 was confirmed today (November 8) by Nazareth bassist Pete Agnew.
“This is the saddest announcement I have ever had to make,” Agnew wrote on Facebook. “Maryann and her family have lost a wonderful and loving husband and father, I have lost my best friend and the world has lost one of the greatest singers to ever live. Too upset to say anything else at this point.”
McCafferty was the lead singer for Nazareth from its formation in 1968 until 2013, when the band announced his retirement from touring due to ill health. He appeared on every Nazareth album through 2014, beginning with the 1971 self-titled effort, and toured with the group for 45 years.
The last Nazareth album McCafferty was involved with was 2014’s ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Telephone’.
Dan died at 12:40 today.
published by Nazareth in Tuesday, November 8, 2022
In 2019, McCafferty released ‘Last Testament’, his third and final solo album, which followed 1975’s ‘Dan McCafferty’ and 1987’s ‘Into The Ring’.
Nazareth is best known for their 1975 album ‘Hair Of The Dog’, which featured the title track and a cover of the everly brothers ballad ‘Love hurts’.
The band remained active, with Agnew as its only original member and new lead singer Carl Sentance.
Earlier this year, founding member Manny Charlton has passed away at the age of 80. The news of the guitarist’s death was confirmed by his grandson, Jamie Charlton, who shared a photo on social media with the caption “RIP Grandad”.
Ricky Warwick, leader of the Black Star Riders and slim lizzyhe was among those who paid tribute to McCafferty.
He wrote on Twitter: “Very sad to hear of the passing of Dan McCafferty of Nazareth today. I had the honor of being in his company on the Rock Meets Classic Tour in 2016. My thoughts and condolences to his family and close friends of his.”
See more tributes to the leader below.
Very sad to hear of the passing of Dan McCafferty of Nazareth today. I had the honor of being his company on the Rock Meets Classic Tour in 2016. My thoughts and condolences to his family and close friends. pic.twitter.com/o0cos0OttI
— RICKY WARWICK 🍀 (@rickywarwick) November 8, 2022
Very sad news. The world lost one of the greatest singers in rock history, my friend and member of the Rock Meets Classic family, Dan McCafferty 😢
published by mat sinner in Tuesday, November 8, 2022
The world has lost one of the greatest singers in history and one of the loveliest, funniest guys I’ve ever had the honor of…
published by Alexander Beyrodt in Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Nooo just heard Dan McCafferty from Nazareth has died. I loved that group, I loved that heavy heavy sound. Ach.. I never saw them live, did anyone see them live? we will discuss later here:https://t.co/aUVTVPvRmg
— John Beattie (@BBCJohnBeattie) November 8, 2022
Sad news regarding the passing of Dan McCafferty. A true gentleman. It was always a pleasure to be in his company. Despite the success he had found, Dan always remained accessible. His stories were also the best. A sad loss for his family and many friends and fans. RIP Dan. 💔
— Visit Dunfermline (@LoveDunfermline) November 8, 2022
RIP Dan McCafferty, who has died at the age of 76. One of the great voices in rock, the frontman of one of the stellar rock bands of the early 1970s, Nazareth, and in his heyday, Dan had one of the classic masculine rock looks. pic.twitter.com/7j8xeKOOm4
— Gerry Hassan 🇺🇦 (@GerryHassan) November 8, 2022
Very sad to hear the news of the passing of Dan McCafferty – owner of one of the great voices of British rock. Here with Nazareth performing Hair of the Dog.https://t.co/0z1dsyg0up
— British Music Exp (@thebme) November 8, 2022