Co-founding member and original singer of the Scottish rock band Nazareth, Dan McCafferty, has passed away. He was 76 years old. Band bassist Pete Agnew has provided the following statement via the Nazareth Facebook page (posted as of today, November 8th):
“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.”
Nazareth formed in 1968, with Dan being one of the band’s founding members. He performed in the band from then and up until 2013. Dan’s decision to step away from the band was due to health issues he was struggling with at the time. As shared by Blabbermouth, speaking to his retirement from the band and his health, Dan had shared, “If you can’t do the job, you shouldn’t be there. Nazareth’s too big for that.”
During his time with the band, Dan helped to create a tremendous plethora of extraordinary albums. With Nazareth, Dan created the following records:
Nazareth (released on 1971),Exercises (1972), Razamanaz (1973), Loud ‘n’ Proud (1973), Rampant (1974), Hair of the Dog (1975), Close Enough for Rock ‘n’ Roll (1976), Play ‘n’ the Game (1976), Expect No Mercy (1977), No Mean City (1979), Malice in Wonderland (1980), The Fool Circle (1981), 2XS (1982), Sound Elixir (1983), The Catch (1984), Cinema (1986), Snakes ‘n’ Ladders (1989), No Jive (1991), Move Me (1994), Boogaloo (1998), The Newz (2008), Big Dogz (2011), and Rock ‘n’ Roll Telephone (2014).
Throughout his musical career, he also released three solo albums, those being: Dan McCafferty (1975), Into the Ring (1987), and Last Testament (2019).
We send all our love to Dan’s family and loved ones, as well as the band. We hope you are at peace Dan <3
Below you will find some statements that other artists have shared regarding Dan’s passing.