Larry Tamblyn, who co-founded the rock band The Standells, passed away on Friday, March 21, at the age of 82. The announcement was made by his nephew, Dennis Tamblyn, via social media the next day.
Dennis Tamblyn shared the news on Facebook, reminiscing about his uncle and their family experiences. He highlighted Larry’s influential role in The Standells, known for the hit “Dirty Water,” a song celebrated during victories by Boston sports teams, the Red Sox and the Bruins. Dennis also mentioned the band’s appearance on “The Munsters.”
Born on February 5, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, Tamblyn came from a family with Hollywood connections. He was the younger brother of actor Russ Tamblyn, famous for his role in “West Side Story,” and uncle to actress Amber Tamblyn.
Tamblyn’s involvement in music began before the formation of The Standells. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he recorded around 45 solo singles for Faro and Linda Records, featuring tracks like “Dearest,” “Patty Ann,” “This Is The Night,” and “My Bride To Be.”
In 1962, Tamblyn formed Larry Tamblyn and The Standells with Tony Valentino, Jody Rich, and Benny King. They later shortened the name to The Standells. Tamblyn explained in a 2014 interview that the name was inspired by the time they spent standing around in booking agents’ offices, waiting for gigs.
The Standells gained significant attention with their 1966 hit “Dirty Water,” which climbed to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song became synonymous with Boston sports celebrations. Although Tamblyn was the keyboardist and original lead singer, drummer Dick Dodd provided lead vocals for “Dirty Water.”
The band’s single “Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White” reached No. 43 on the charts. Although The Standells did not achieve further major hits, they appeared on television shows like “The Munsters,” “The Bing Crosby Show,” and “Ben Casey” in 1965, and in films such as “Get Yourself a College Girl” (1964) and “Riot on Sunset Strip” (1967).
In a 2014 Vice interview, Tamblyn recounted appearing on “The Munsters” in 1965, before their first hit. During a period when the Beatles were highly popular, the show’s producers sought a similar group, making the experience memorable for Tamblyn, a fan of the show.
Following The Standells’ early success, the members pursued solo projects. Tamblyn reformed the band in 2009 with bassist John Fleck, guitarist Paul Downing, and drummer Greg Burnham. They released the album “Bump” in 2013 and launched a national tour in 2014, their first since the 1960s.
Though not chart-toppers, The Standells significantly impacted rock music, often considered pioneers of early punk, influencing bands like the Sex Pistols and the Ramones.
In December 2023, Tamblyn was inducted into the California Music Hall of Fame by his brother Russ, who is now 90. Tamblyn performed at the ceremony, demonstrating his lasting dedication to music.
In 2023, Tamblyn published his memoir, “From Squeaky Clean to Dirty Water: My Life with the Sixties Garage Rock Trailblazers the Standells,” detailing his music industry experiences.
His death prompted tributes from family, friends, and fans. A neighbor expressed condolences on social media, noting the unusual experience of having Tamblyn, a member of a 1960s garage punk band covered by the neighbor’s 1980s band, as a neighbor in rural Georgia.
Tamblyn’s niece, Amber Tamblyn, thanked supporters on Instagram for their condolences. She plans to write a tribute to her uncle, whom she described as a talented songwriter.
The cause of Tamblyn’s death has not been disclosed.
