As a lifelong fan of the vibrant and eclectic world of rock ‘n’ roll, I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Greg Kihn. From his bouncy hits like “Jeopardy” to his collaborations with the one-of-a-kind Weird Al Yankovic, Greg’s music has been a constant companion in my life, reminding me of carefree days and good times.
As a devoted fan, I’m saddened to share that Greg Kihn, the talented musician, lyricist, and guitar virtuoso who rocketed to fame as a West Coast pop sensation with his catchy tune “Jeopardy,” has left us at the age of 75. This song, which once reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, was later humorously reinterpreted by the legendary “Weird Al” Yankovic.
On Tuesday, Kihn passed away following his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, according to his representative, Michael Brandvold. His loved ones chose to keep private the place where he took his final breath.
Kihn skillfully combined folk, classic rock, blues, and melodic pop, becoming a significant figure in shaping the Bay Area’s musical landscape during the 1980s. His debut single, “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em),” peaked at number 15 on the Hot 100 chart in May 1981.
Back in January 1983, I was thrilled when The Greg Kihn Band unveiled their infectious hit “Jeopardy.” It came close to securing the No. 1 spot on the charts, but Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” just edged it out. This tune became a staple on MTV and inspired Weird Al Yankovic to create a hilarious spoof titled “I Lost on Jeopardy.” The parody featured none other than Art Fleming, the host of the game show, and Don Pardo, its announcer. Kihn’s original song was actually about a deteriorating relationship.
Kihn granted Weird Al the authorization to create his own version of the song, and he appeared towards the end of Yankovic’s music video, driving a convertible.
Gregory Kihn, born on July 10, 1949, in Baltimore, grew up with his father, Stanley, who worked as an inspector for the city health department. The moment he watched The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 was a pivotal, life-changing experience for him.
At age 17, Jane, his mother, sent a tape of one of his compositions to the local radio station WCAO. This led him to win a Vox electric guitar. In 1974, he relocated to San Francisco, secured a contract with Matthew Kaufman’s Beserkley Records, and debuted his first album with his own group in 1976.
Among his albums, there were releases such as “Rockihnroll” from 1981, followed by “Kihntinued” in 1982, “Kihnspiracy” in 1983, “Kihntageous” in 1984, “Citizen Kihn” in 1985, “Love & Rock & Roll” in 1986, “Mutiny” in 1994, “Horror Show” in 1996, and most recently, “Rekihndled” in 2017.
For seventeen remarkable years, spanning up until 2018, I graced the mornings on the beloved San Jose, California radio station KUFX-FM, affectionately known as KFOX. During this time, I didn’t just share my love for music with listeners; I also dabbled in the realm of horror literature. I penned several chilling novels and had the privilege of curating a collection of spine-tingling short stories from notable artists such as Ray Davies, Pete Townshend, and Joan Jett.
He spent his leisure time cultivating exotic praying mantises, a captivating pastime, and generously gave both time and funds to Operation Care and Comfort.
Among those who carry on are his spouse Jay, kids Ryan and Alexis, daughter-in-law Samora, grandkids Nate and Zuri, sister Laura, brother-in-law Lou, and cousins Larry, Lou, and Matthew.
A personal remembrance gathering is being arranged, along with a public tribute concert. Contributions in his memory may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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2024-08-15 21:26