Music legend Larry Tamblyn dies aged 82 as his household pay tribute to the star who discovered fame in Nineteen Sixties band The Standells

Music legend Larry Tamblyn has died at the age of 82. 

The star was best known for his work with band The Standells who had major hit Dirty Water in 1966.

Larry came from a family of Hollywood actors, with his brother Russ Tamblyn starring in Django Unchained and Drive.

Paying tribute to his uncle, Larry’s nephew Dennis Tamblyn wrote on Facebook, according to The Mirror: ‘A few years ago, The Standells played at Hotel Congress here in Tucson and Larry stayed with me. 

‘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.’

His cause of his death was not disclosed.  

The Standells are an American garage rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in the 1960s.

Music legend Larry Tamblyn has died at the age of 82

The star was best known for his work with band The Standells who had major hit Dirty Water in 1966

They have been referred to as a ‘punk band of the 1960s’, and are said to have inspired such groups as the Sex Pistols and Ramones. 

The band was formed in 1962 by lead vocalist and keyboard player Larry, guitarist Tony Valentino, bass guitarist Jody Rich, and drummer Benny King.

Larry had previously been a solo performer, recording several 45 singles in the late 1950s and early 1960s including Dearest, Patty Ann, This Is The Night, My Bride To Be and Destiny for Faro and Linda Records. 

He is the brother of actor Russ Tamblyn and the uncle of actor Amber Tamblyn. 

Russ portrayed Norman Page in the drama Peyton Place (1957), for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. 

His other most notable role was in West Side Story (1961), where he portrayed Riff, the leader of the Jets gang. 

Fans quickly took to social media to pay tribute to the music star, with one writing: ‘I can’t think of a more iconic garage rock anthem than The Standells Dirty Water. 

‘It’s definitely one of the most memorable tunes of the era and personally I’ve always loved dancing to it…I was very said to hear the news…Heartfelt condolences to his nearest and dearest.’

Larry came from a family of Hollywood actors, with his brother Russ Tamblyn (seen) starring in Django Unchained and Drive

The Standells band was formed in 1962 by lead vocalist and keyboard player Larry, guitarist Tony Valentino, bass guitarist Jody Rich, and drummer Benny King

Another said: ‘RIP Larry Tamblyn…too many people leaving the room…’ 

A third said: ‘Stunned by the sudden passing of rocker Larry Tamblyn… My heart goes out to his close friends and family including his wife, children, older brother Russ, niece Amber and nephew Dennis… you will be deeply missed.’

‘I was a fan of Larry Tamblyn’s music with the Standells back in the day… So sorry to lose Larry. He was a a great guy,’ a fourth wrote.

The band’s biggest hit was 1966’s Dirty Water – which has since become the anthem for a number of Boston sports teams.

The music legend is the uncle of actress Amber Tamblyn, 41, who is best known for her roles in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Two and a Half Men.

Larry is seen with friends at a party in 2014

Speaking in an old interview with Classic Bands, Larry revealed how The Standells had been inspired by The Beatles for their look

Speaking in an old interview with Classic Bands, Larry revealed how The Standells had been inspired by The Beatles for their look.

He said: ‘We were one of the first groups to have long hair in 1963. We had seen photos of The Beatles in London before they became big here (America) and we grew our hair out.

‘When they started to break here, we had the long hair and we were doing the same schtick at this club called The Peppermint West. 

‘They had a big sign out in front saying Beatlemania.’