The co-founder of the iconic 1960s blues band has died at the age of 75 in a hospital after suffering from complications following an emergency hip surgery.
- May 16, 2020
AceShowbiz - The Pretty Things frontman Phil May has died at the age of 75.
The singer passed away on Friday, May 15, 2020 at a hospital in Norfolk, England, where he suffered complications after undergoing emergency hip surgery following a cycling accident.
May was a co-founder of 1960s blues rockers The Pretty Things, tasting success with singles like "Don't Bring Me Down", "Honey I Need", and "Cry to Me".
Their sound influenced artists like Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, The Ramones, Bob Dylan, The Sex Pistols, and Aerosmith, and later The White Stripes and Kasabian among other rockers.
May, who struggled with lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, remained a member of The Pretty Things throughout a series of line-up changes, and the band played its last gig, appropriately titled The Final Bow, in London in December 2018 when the musicians were joined onstage by pals David Gilmour and Van Morrison.
Although they retired from the touring circuit, The Pretty Things continued to record with a new album set for release later this year 2020.
Paying tribute to May, The Kinks guitarist Dave Davie tweeted, "Very sad news, he was a very talented guy and he will be sorely missed. I'm shocked."
