Farewell to Larry Tamblyn: Celebrated Music Legend and Beloved Brother of Russ Tamblyn Passes Away at 82

Larry Tamblyn, a performer and original member of The Standells, has passed away. He was 82.

His nephew, Dennis Tamblyn, revealed that he died on Friday, March 21, through a post on Facebook.

“My uncle Larry Tamblyn has departed today. I cherish many wonderful memories of him and his family throughout the years,” Dennis stated. “He led an extraordinary life. He was part of a band known as The Standells, whose popular track ‘Dirty Water’ is still played to this day whenever the Red Sox or the Bruins secure a victory at home. They also performed in an episode of The Munsters,” he went on.

“A few years ago, The Standells performed at Hotel Congress here in Tucson, Ariz., and Larry stayed with me,” Dennis mentioned. “It was such a joy to spend time with him and reconnect. He continued creating music well into his later years. You will be dearly missed, Uncle Larry.”

As of now, no cause of death has been disclosed.

Larry, a native of Los Angeles, hails from a renowned family as the sibling of actor Russ Tamblyn and the uncle of actress Amber Tamblyn. He began his career as a solo artist in the 1950s before forming the rock ensemble Larry Tamblyn and The Standells in 1962, alongside Tony Valentino, Jody Rich, and Benny King.

The group recorded their debut 45 “You’ll Be Mine Someday/Girl In My Heart” in 1963, according to Tech Web Sound, before signing with Liberty Label a year later and adopting the name The Standells.

Following a few member departures, Dick Dodd joined as lead singer in 1964. The band released numerous hits, such as “Try It,” “Can’t Help But Love You” and their most famous track, “Dirty Water,” which climbed to number 11 on the Billboard charts.

Larry reestablished the band in 2009, and they embarked on their first national tour since the 1960s in 2014, as reported by the U.K. newspaper Metro. The ensemble released their last album Bump in 2013.

In December 2023, Larry was inducted into the California Music Hall of Fame by his brother Russ, who is 90 years old. The late musician shared a video on his Facebook page of himself performing onstage during his induction event.

A neighbor of Larry commented on X following the news of his passing, “My friend and neighbor, Larry Tamblyn, passed away this morning … It felt entirely surreal that a member of the 60s garage punk band my 80s garage band used to cover moved just around the corner from me in rural GA.”