Standells Lead Singer/Drummer Dick Dodd 1945-2013

[Zoneboy]

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Lead singer and drummer for the ’60s garage rockers the Standells, has passed away. He was 68 years old.

Dodd, who came to fame via the Standells’ big hit, ‘Dirty Water’ in 1966, had been battling stage four cancer. His illness was only recently announced via his Facebook page, and a Go Fund Me page was set up. A posting recently stated, “The doctors have found two places in Dick’s brain. Right now, they aren’t going to worry about it. The tumor in his esophagus will be treated with chemo directly into the tumor. He won’t be able to eat, so he will have a feeding tube. His spirits, however, remain upbeat.”

Though they only had one Top 40 hit, the Standells have long been considered gararge rock royalty among fans with countless classics like ‘Why Pick On Me?,’ ‘Try It,’ ‘Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White’ and the theme song from the movie ‘Riot On Sunset Strip,’ in which the band appeared. Despite the ‘Boston, you’re my home’ lyrics in ‘Dirty Water,’ Dodd was California born-and-bred. He was an original member of surf rockers the Bel-Airs, and as a child, was a Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeer.

‘Dirty Water,’ which hit No. 11 on the Billboard charts in the summer of 1966 has had a long life outside of the band, and been covered by countless acts. It has become the official victory song of the Boston Red Sox due to its references to the city, and the band has actually performed at several Red Sox games.

[Zoneboy]

[Penny Lane]

"I love that dirty water............................" RIP Dick Dodd