Original Flamin’ Groovies Frontman Roy Loney Dead At 73

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

Original Flamin’ Groovies Frontman Roy Loney Dead At 73

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

Roy Loney, the original frontman of the influential power-pop band Flamin’ Groovies, has died. The band confirmed the news on their official Facebook page yesterday, writing, “We are all deeply saddened and stunned to learn that our dearest friend and bandmate, Roy Loney, passed away this morning.” He was 73.

Loney founded the Flamin’ Groovies in San Francisco in 1965 with his childhood friend Tim Lynch. Three years later, they landed a contract with Epic Records after the success of their self-recorded EP Sneakers. They only released one album on the label, 1969’s Supersnazz, before being dropped due to low sales.

Loney remained with the band for two more albums, 1970’s Flamingo and 1971’s Teenage Head, before leaving — in part due to creative differences with lead guitarist Cyril Jordan, who took over as frontman after his departure. He moved onto several behind-the-scenes jobs in the music industry and pursued a solo career, releasing a handful of albums with the Phantom Movers starting in 1979.

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