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The Groundhogs singer and guitarist Tony McPhee has died aged 79 after suffering complications from a bad fall the rocker had last year.
The star had also suffered from a series of strokes towards the end of his life.
Tony’s band confirmed the sad news, sharing he “died peacefully at home” on Tuesday.
Taking to The Groundhogs’ Facebook page, the band shared their heartbreak in a statement.
They wrote: “We are deeply saddened to announce that 79-year-old guitar and blues legend Tony (TS) McPhee, died peacefully at home today 6th June, from complications following a fall last year.
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“He is survived by his devoted wife Joanna, sons Conan & Vincent, grandchildren Scarlett & Victor and loving sister Olive.”
Tony fronted the British blues and rock band throughout six decades, from 1962 to 2015.
The group achieved three UK top 10 albums with Tony at the helm.
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Thr Groundhogs were initially named the Dollar Bills when Tony first joined the south London group in 1962, before the singer and guitarist renamed the band.
The band rose to fame after supporting US blues star John Lee Hooker on his UK tour date in the 1960s.
They also supported the Rolling Stones during their 1971 tour, before landing three back to back UK top 10 albums around the same time.
The Groundhogs’ most memorable hit songs included Cherry Red, Garden and Eccentric Man.
Tony retired from the band in 2015 after the strokes he had been suffering from 2009 damaged his ability to sing.
Fans took to Twitter to pay tribute to Tony, with one writing: “The grand master Tony McPhee. Rest in power maestro.”
Another added: “Oh no so sad, a massively underrated musician. My inspiration to play guitar. RIP. Tony #tonymcphee.”
A third fan tweeted: “RIP Tony McPhee, a big part of my musical upbringing in the early 1970s.”
“Sad to hear Tony McPhee has left us. One of the very best. Rest in Power,” a fourth fan shared.
