Larry Tamblyn, the founding frontman for The Standells, brother of actor Russ Tamblyn and uncle of Amber Tamblyn, has died. He was 82.
The musician’s nephew Dennis Tamblyn announced that his uncle died on Saturday, paying tribute to Larry, who he noted “was still making music well into his later years.”
“My uncle Larry Tamblyn passed away today. I have very fond memories of him and his family over the years,” began Larry in the Facebook post.
“He lived an incredible life. He was in a band called The Standells whose hit 1966 song ‘Dirty Water’ reached No. 11 on the Billboard charts and is still played to this day whenever the Red Sox or the Bruins win a home game. They also played on an episode of The Munsters.”
Dennis continued, “A few years ago, The Standells played at Hotel Congress here in Tucson and Larry stayed with me. It was so great to hang out with him and catch up. He was still making music well into his later years. You will be missed, Uncle Larry.”
Born Feb. 5, 1943, Larry Tamblyn performed solo and recorded several singles during the 1950s before forming The Standells in 1962. The band was known for such songs as their 1966 hit ‘Dirty Water’, which is often played at Boston sports games.
In addition to 1965 episodes of The Munsters, The Bing Crosby Show and Ben Casey, The Standells also appeared in such low-budget films as Get Yourself a College Girl (1964) and Riot on Sunset Strip (1967).
Larry was inducted in the California Music Hall of Fame in 2023, introduced by his brother Russ.
