I'm pretty sure very few people knew him by name, but Reg Presley, the lead singer of the sixties group The Troggs, has died of lung cancer. According to Ultimate Classic Rock:
Presley was born Reginald Maurice Ball on June 12, 1941 and like countless from that generation, found a home in the world of rock and roll music. The Troggs formed in 1964, but first caught the public’s attention in 1966 with their second single. With Presley’s nasally snarl leading the way, ‘Wild Thing’ became a No. 1 hit for the band in the summer of 1966, and would forever cement their place in rock and roll history. From that point on, the Troggs released an incredible string of singles including ‘With A Girl Like You,’ ‘I Can’t Control Myself,’ and ‘Love Is All Around.’
Their style was crude and raw, but always with a catchy melody at its core. They were much more than a one trick pony too, with styles ranging from the garage punk blast of ‘Wild Thing,’ to the bubblegum sounds of ‘Hip Hip Hooray,’ and the hard rock of ‘Come Now.’ The Troggs tried their hand at it all, and more often than not, succeeded.
I think it's easy to dismiss The Troggs as just another pop band making simple, singable, throwaway songs. But let's be honest -- we still remember these songs almost 50 years after they came out. To people who casually dismiss catchy pop songs, as if they're easy to crank out, I always say, "Fine, YOU try writing one."
Check out a couple of The Troggs hits, and immerse yourself in 1966. First, "Wild Thing"
and "A Girl Lke You"
And watch young romance blossom in "Love Is All Around"
