Music Icon Larry Tamblyn Dead at 82

Larry Tamblyn has died. A founding member of The Standells, whose brother, Russ Tamblyn, and niece, Amber Tamblyn, are actors, died on March 21. He was 82.

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Larry’s nephew, Dennis Tamblyn, announced his death on Facebook.

“I have very fond memories of him and his family over the years,” Dennis wrote. “He lived an incredible life. He was in a band called The Standells whose hit song ‘Dirty Water’ 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.”

“A few years ago, The Standells played at Hotel Congress here in Tucson and Larry stayed with me,” he continued. “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.”

The New York Post reported that one of Larry’s neighbors shared a tribute to him on X.

“Sad news I’m afraid. My friend and neighbor, Larry Tamblyn, passed away this morning,” the user wrote. “He was the founding member of The Standells. It was totally surreal that a member of the 60s garage punk band my 80s garage band used to cover, moved just around the corner from me in rural GA.”

A cause of death has yet to be shared.

Larry Tamblyn’s Life and Career

Larry entered the music scene in the ’50s, before he formed The Standells with Tony Valentino, Jody Rich, and Benny King in 1962. Their biggest hit, “Dirty Water,” peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Per Deadline, The Standells appeared in episodes of The Munsters, The Bing Crosby Show, and Ben Casey, as well as low-budget films including Get Yourself a College Girl and Riot on Sunset Strip.

Larry reformed the band in 2009. The group released their final album, Bump, in 2013. The following year, they went on their first national tour since the 1960s, Metro reported.

Larry was inducted into the California Music Hall of Fame by his brother in 2023.

Photo by Mark Sullivan/WireImage