Larry Tamblyn, the lead vocalist and keyboardist of the legendary garage rock band The Standells, has passed away at the age of 82. The sad news was confirmed by his nephew, Dennis Tamblyn, in a heartfelt Facebook post. While the exact cause of death has not been disclosed, Dennis reminisced about the time his uncle stayed with him in Tucson, recalling how Tamblyn was still passionately making music in his later years.
A few years ago, The Standells played at Hotel Congress here in Tucson, and Larry stayed with me,” Dennis wrote. “It was so great to hang out with him and catch up. You will be missed, Uncle Larry.”
Tamblyn came from a star-studded family. His brother, actor Russ Tamblyn, is known for his roles in Django Unchained, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Drive. His niece, actress Amber Tamblyn, has also made a name for herself in Hollywood with appearances in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and House.
From a young age, Tamblyn was drawn to music and eventually formed The Standells in 1962. The band became a staple of the garage rock scene, with Tamblyn leading as both vocalist and keyboardist. He was joined by guitarist Tony Valentino, bassist Jody Rich, and drummer Benny King. Before forming the band, Tamblyn pursued a solo career, releasing singles like This Is the Night, Patty Ann, My Bride to Be, and Dearest.
Following his passing, fans and fellow musicians have been paying tribute to the rock legend, celebrating his contributions to music and the lasting impact of The Standells.
