Nazareth Singer Dan McCafferty Dies At 76

Photo by Fin Costello/Getty Images

Love hurts…especially when we lose an icon we love. This is the case today as it was just announced that Dan McCafferty, lead singer of Scottish hard rock band Nazareth, passed away yesterday at the age of 76

“Dan died at 12:40 today,” Nazareth bassist Pete Agnew wrote in a heartfelt Facebook post. “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.”

McCafferty was known for his powerful vocals that led Nazareth through classic hits like Hair Of The Dog and Love Hurts. McCafferty formed Nazareth in 1968 in Dunfermline, Soctland with guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew and drummer Darrell Sweet who were all members of a previous band called The Shadettes. Nazareth released their self-titled debut album in 1971, but finally took off in fame when they released their sixth studio record Hair Of The Dog in 1975 which officially put Nazareth on the map.

To celebrate the life of Dan McCafferty, watch this video of Nazareth performing Hair Of The Dog (and listen to McCafferty’s soaring vocals) live on the BBC in 1977 here: