Reg Presley Dies of Cancer at 71

Reg Presley, the Troggs singer died of cancer. Reg Presley was 71.

He is the voice behind the Troggs’ “Wild Thing” which till date remains a garage rock classic after more than 45 years since it’s release.

His death was announced by his agent Keith Altham on Facebook late Monday night.

“My dear old pal Reg Presley of The Troggs died today,” he said, calling Presley “one very real person in a sometimes very unreal world.” He said the singer had suffered a number of strokes recently and died at his home in Andover (70 miles west of London) surrounded by his family and friends.

“My dear old pal Reg Presley of The Troggs died today,” he said, calling Presley “one very real person in a sometimes very unreal world.” He said the singer had suffered a number of strokes recently and died at his home in Andover (70 miles west of London) surrounded by his family and friends.

“Wild Thing,” written by American songwriter Chip Taylor, was originally recorded by Jordan Christopher & The Wild Ones in 1965, and quickly forgotten. It took the Troggs’ cover a year later to make it a classic.

The Troggs, all from the Andover area, had several other big hits, including “Love is All Around” and “With a Girl Like You.”

They faded in the 1970s but their songs were revived in the 1990s when REM and Wet Wet Wet released covers of the Troggs’ “Love Is All Around.”

Presley, also a prolific songwriter, helped found the Troggs in the 1960s while he was working as a bricklayer.

Born Reg Ball, he took the stage name “Presley” at his manager’s suggestion.

He announced his retirement in January, 2012 in an open letter to his fans thanking them for their support. He said at the time that he was receiving chemotherapy and not feeling “too bad.”

He had a strong interest in crop circles, paranormal activity, and UFOs.

His daughter Karen told the music website WENN that she, her brother and her mother were with Presley when he died.

“We’re absolutely heartbroken,” she said.