Troggs’ Reg Presley Has Lung Cancer

Feisty frontman announces his retirement from performing. Band has been a key influence on everyone from Jimi Hendrix to the MC5 to Spiritualized.

By Fred Mills

Sad news arrived today for fans of seminal Brit Invasion (and proto-punk) combo The Troggs: longtime singer Reg Presley announced on the band's official site that was retiring in the wake of a lung cancer diagnosis he received in December after becoming ill at a concernt.

Wrote Presley, "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. 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."

It's been quite a run for the band, which formed in 1964, starting with a string of mid ‘60s hits including classic thug-rocker "Wild Thing" as well as "With A Girl Like You" and "I Can't Control Myself," all million sellers. Over the years the group broke up and reunited several times, with Presley remaining a constant presence at the helm, touring steadily, primarily in Europe. Among the bands that have covered The Troggs: Jimi Hendrix Experience, Buzzcocks, MC5, Wet Wet Wet and Spiritualized.