With one of the most distinctive voices of the British Invasion Reg Presley wasn’t really a singer – he more or less spoke his way through most of The Troggs four American hits:  “With A Girl Like You”, “I Can’t Control Myself”, “Love Is All Around”, and their #1 hit “Wild Thing”.  He died yesterday after battle with lung cancer.  Last January I wrote a blog about his retirement from the group which he had announced on the group’s website.  On it, he said:

‘As you all know I was taken ill whilst doing a gig in Germany in December [2011].  During my stay in the hospital tests showed that in fact I have lung cancer.  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 for all the cards and calls and for your love, loyalty, and support over the years.’

Reg Presley was 71.

Here are Troggs four biggest hits here in the states.