SAN FRANCISCO (CelebrityAccess) — Rock artist and radio personality Greg Kihn, best known for a string of hits in the 1980s, including “Jeopardy” and “The Breakup Song,” and founder of the Greg Kihn Band, has passed away at the age of 75.
His passing was announced on his official webpage: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Greg Kihn, an iconic figure in the realm of rock music. Greg lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease on 8/13/24.”
Born and raised in Baltimore, Kihn launched his music career in his hometown, initially following the singer-songwriter mold. In 1974, he relocated to the West Coast and refocused on rock.
While working at San Francisco’s Rather Ripped Records, he met future bandmate Gary Phillips and became one of the first artists to sign with Matthew King Kaufman’s Beserkley Records.
Kihn recorded a successful string of hits in the 1980s, including “Jeopardy,” “The Breakup Song,” “Remember,” and “Lucky.”
In addition to his music career, Kihn spent almost two decades as a radio personality at the famed Los Angeles station KFOX. He also worked as a syndicated nighttime radio host heard across the U.S.
Kihn was also a successful author, with six published novels and numerous short stories to his name. He was known for his hobby of breeding rare praying mantises, as noted in an obituary published on his official website.
Kihn was dedicated to charitable causes and helped raise money for Operation Care and Comfort, a support network for veterans, among other organizations.
He is survived by his wife, Jay Arafiles-Kihn, along with a son, a daughter, several grandchildren, and other family members.
A private memorial celebration of his life and legacy will be held with friends and family. A public celebration of life concert for fans and fellow musicians will be announced in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Greg Kihn’s name to The Alzheimer’s Association to help end Alzheimer’s disease.
