Lead singer of the rock band Nazareth, Dan McCafferty, has passed away at the age of 76
Pete Agnew, bassist for the band Nazareth, confirmed the news that the musician, best known as the band’s lead singer, had passed away on Tuesday, November 8.
Pete posted a picture of his former bandmate on Facebook with the following caption: “Dan died at 12.40 today. This is the saddest announcement I ever had to make.
“Maryann and the family have lost a wonderful loving husband and father, I have lost my best friend and the world has lost one of the greatest singers who ever lived.
“Too upset to say anything more at this time. Pete”
From the group’s inception in 1968 until his health forced him to retire from touring in 2013, McCafferty was Nazareth’s lead singer.
Starting with their self-titled debut album in 1971, he recorded as many as 23 albums with the band. Last Testament, the third of McCafferty’s solo albums, was released in 2019.
After being diagnosed with COPD, which can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and coughing, the singer decided to slow down on the tour circuit.
McCafferty once said, “You don’t know when it’s going to come on, but suddenly you can’t breathe.” when describing his health problems.
McCafferty, however, stated that despite his health problems, he continued to compose and record new music.
He disclosed: “To go into a studio and sing isn’t like doing a gig. I could always make another record, but getting up to do an hour and three-quarters, and get people to pay money to come and see me – I can’t do that.”