Larry Tamblyn, co-founder of the band The Standells, passed away on Friday, March 21, after a battle with a rare blood cancer called MDS, at the age of 82. His nephew, Dennis Tamblyn, shared the news on social media the following day.
In a Facebook post, Dennis Tamblyn reflected on his uncle’s life and contributions to music. He highlighted the achievements of The Standells, known for the hit “Dirty Water,” a song celebrated at Boston Red Sox and Bruins home game victories. The band also appeared in an episode of “The Munsters.”
Born on February 5, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, Tamblyn came from a family with ties to Hollywood. He was the younger brother of actor Russ Tamblyn, known for “West Side Story,” and uncle to actress Amber Tamblyn.
Tamblyn’s music career began before the formation of The Standells. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he recorded around 45 solo singles with labels such as Faro and Linda Records, featuring tracks like “Dearest” and “Patty Ann.”
In 1962, Tamblyn formed Larry Tamblyn and The Standells with Tony Valentino, Jody Rich, and Benny King. The band later shortened their name to The Standells. In a 2014 interview, Tamblyn recounted that the name was inspired by their frequent time spent standing in booking agents’ offices.
The Standells gained recognition with their 1966 single “Dirty Water,” which climbed to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has since become synonymous with Boston sports victories. While Tamblyn played keyboards and was the original lead singer, drummer Dick Dodd performed lead vocals on the hit.
The group released the single “Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White,” reaching No. 43 on the charts. Although they did not score many major hits, The Standells appeared on television programs like “The Munsters” and “The Bing Crosby Show,” and featured in films such as “Get Yourself a College Girl” (1964).
In a 2014 Vice interview, Tamblyn shared an anecdote about their appearance on “The Munsters” in 1965. He mentioned that the show’s producers were looking for a band with a style similar to the Beatles, and he was thrilled to be part of the program as a fan of the show.
After the initial success of The Standells, the members pursued solo endeavors. In 2009, Tamblyn revived the band with John Fleck, Paul Downing, and Greg Burnham. They released the album “Bump” in 2013 and went on their first national tour since the 1960s the following year.
The Standells are often credited with influencing the early punk music scene, inspiring bands such as 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 90 years old. Tamblyn performed at the ceremony, showcasing his ongoing passion for music.
Tamblyn’s passing was met with tributes from fans and family. A neighbor shared on social media the unique experience of living next to a member of a band that his own 1980s group had covered.
Amber Tamblyn, his niece, expressed gratitude on Instagram for the condolences received. She intends to write a tribute to her uncle, praising his songwriting talent.
In 2023, Tamblyn released his memoir, “From Squeaky Clean to Dirty Water: My Life with the Sixties Garage Rock Trailblazers the Standells,” detailing his musical career.
Tamblyn’s legacy endures through The Standells’ music and the tradition of “Dirty Water” at Boston sports events.