Larry Tamblyn, Founding Member of The Standells, Dies at 82
Larry Tamblyn, a founding member of the renowned garage rock band The Standells, has passed away at the age of 82.
Confirmation of Passing
The musician’s passing was confirmed by his nephew, Dennis Tamblyn, in a Facebook post on Friday.
“My uncle Larry Tamblyn passed away today. I have very cherished memories of him and his family over the years,” Dennis wrote in his social media tribute.
Tribute Highlights Musical Legacy
“He lived an extraordinary life. He was a key part of The Standells, whose signature song ‘Dirty Water’ remains a staple at Boston Red Sox and Bruins home game victories. The band also made an appearance on an episode of ‘The Munsters’,” Dennis further stated in his post, highlighting the band’s cultural impact.
Dennis continued, recalling personal moments, “A few years ago, The Standells performed at Hotel Congress in Tucson, and Larry stayed with me. It was wonderful to spend time with him and reconnect. He remained active in music even in his later years.”
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“You will be missed, Uncle Larry,” Dennis concluded, expressing his personal loss.
Cause of Death Unknown
The cause of Larry Tamblyn’s death has not yet been disclosed.
Neighbor’s Remembrance
A neighbor of Tamblyn shared a tribute on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting on the musician’s local presence. “Sad news I’m afraid. My friend and neighbor, Larry Tamblyn, passed away this morning. He was the founding member of The Standells. It was surreal that a member of the 60s garage punk band that my 80s garage band used to cover, lived just around the corner from me in rural GA,” the neighbor posted.
Musical Journey and Family
Born on February 5, 1943, Larry Tamblyn was the brother of actor Russ Tamblyn and uncle to actress Amber Tamblyn.
In 1962, Larry established the rock band initially known as Larry Tamblyn and The Standells, alongside Tony Valentino, Jody Rich, and Benny King. The band later became known as The Standells.
“Dirty Water” and Band’s Success
The Standells released their debut album, “Dirty Water,” in 1966. The album’s title track became a celebrated anthem for Boston sports teams, the Red Sox and the Bruins.
Following periods where members explored solo projects, Larry reformed The Standells in 2009 with bassist John Fleck, guitarist Paul Downing, and drummer Greg Burnham.
Later Years and Legacy
In 2014, the group embarked on their first national tour since the 1960s. Their final album, “Bump,” was released in 2013.
Beatles Inspiration and Band Name Origin
In a past interview with Classic Bands, Larry Tamblyn revealed that The Standells were inspired by The Beatles regarding their iconic long hairstyles.
“We were among the early groups to sport long hair in 1963. We had seen photos of The Beatles in London before they achieved mainstream success in the US, and we grew our hair out,” he recalled. “When they started to break here, we had long hair and were doing a similar act at a club called The Peppermint West. They had a prominent sign proclaiming ‘Beatlemania.’ That was us.”
Origin of “The Standells” Name
Larry also shared the origin of the band’s name, stating, “Interestingly, the name came about because when we initially formed, we were just young musicians without scheduled performances. We spent considerable time at booking agents’ offices seeking engagements. You know, stand, standing, Standells. That’s how the name originated.”
Hall of Fame Induction
Larry Tamblyn was honored with induction into the California Music Hall of Fame by his brother Russ in December 2023. He performed live on stage at the induction ceremony, marking a recent highlight in his enduring career.