DAN McCafferty the singer of hard rock pioneers Nazareth has died aged 76.
News of his death was shared by former bandmate Pete Agnew in a Facebook post.
"Dan died at 12:40 today," Agnew wrote.
"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 born in Dunfermline, Scotland and co-founded Nazareth with Agnew, guitarist Manny Charlton and drummer Darrell Sweet in 1968.
The band were influenced by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.
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The group's best known album 'Hair Of The Dog' was released in 1975 and went on to sell over two million copies worldwide.
The album's title track, also a hit single, was later covered by Guns N' Roses.
McCafferty retired from touring in August 2013, due to health issues and his final album with the band 'Rock'n'Roll Telephone' was releasedthe following year.
"I could make another record, but getting up to do an hour and three-quarters, and get people to pay money to come and see me – I can’t do that,"he told Classic Rock at the time.
In October 2019, McCafferty released his first ever solo album 'Last Testament'.
Nazareth continued to tour and record under the leadership of sole remaining founder member Agnew, with McCafferty's blessing.
McCafferty revealed he was suffering from Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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He said it had worsened in recent years had made him leave the stage in Switzerland in2013 after only three songs.
"You don't know when it's going to come on, but suddenly you can't breathe," he said,
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