By Sandra Birungi

Reg Presley of The Troggs died Monday 4th February after a battle with cancer at the age of 71.

Presley’s daughter, Karen confirmed the passing of her father saying, “He passed away peacefully at home and myself, my brother and our mother were with him. We’re absolutely heartbroken,” she said.

Presley was the lead singer of 1960s British rock band The Troggs and scored a hit with the love anthem, “Wild Thing”. Last year in January 2012, Presley announced that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer after falling ill in Germany during a performance. Soon afterwards, he began chemotherapy and announced his retirement from the band.

Friend and music publicist, Keith Altham posted on Facebook on Monday saying Presley of recent had suffered several strokes. “He was one very real person in a sometimes very unreal world,” Altham said. “Our thoughts are with his wife Brenda and the family and those legion of fans who loved his music and his band. I will miss him hugely.”

With “Wild Thing” in 1966, The Troggs became one of Britain’s most successful rock band of the era. The song was written by American songwriter Chip Taylor and topped the charts in the United States and reached No. 2 in Britain. He was not only a lead singer but also a writer. He penned hits like “With a Girl Like You” in 1966 and the band’s final big hit, “Love Is All Around,” in 1967.

Presley is survived by a wife and two children.