Larry Tamblyn, the founding member of The Standells, has passed away at the age of 82. His nephew Dennis Tamblyn confirmed his death on March 21, 2025, in a heartfelt social media post, recalling fond memories and highlighting his uncle’s significant contributions to music. Tamblyn was best known for his work as the lead singer and keyboardist of The Standells, a band that helped define the garage rock sound of the 1960s.
The Standells, an American garage rock band from Los Angeles, California, rose to prominence in the mid-1960s with their hit “Dirty Water”. Released in 1966, the song reached No. 11 on the Billboard charts and later became a beloved Boston sports anthem, played after every Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins home victory. The band has often been cited as one of the early inspirations for punk rock, influencing acts such as the Sex Pistols and the Ramones.
Tamblyn founded the Standells in 1962, joining forces with guitarist Tony Valentino, bassist Jody Rich, and drummer Benny King. Prior to this, he had pursued a solo career, releasing several rock and doo-wop singles in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including “Dearest,” “Patty Ann,” “This Is The Night,” and “Destiny.”
Despite being best known for “Dirty Water,” the Standells had other notable tracks, including “Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White,” “Try It,” and “Why Pick On Me”. Their raw sound and rebellious image earned them a cult following, and they even made appearances on television, most famously performing in an episode of The Munsters.
In an earlier interview, Tamblyn reflected on how The Beatles influenced their look, revealing that the band adopted long hair in 1963 after seeing images of the British rock band before they became famous in the U.S. He described how their style, along with performances at clubs like Peppermint West, helped them establish a following even before Beatlemania took hold in America.
Larry Tamblyn came from a Hollywood family, with his older brother Russ Tamblyn achieving fame as an actor in classic films such as West Side Story (1961) and Peyton Place (1957), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Larry was also the uncle of actress Amber Tamblyn, known for her roles in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Two and a Half Men. His passing marks another loss for a family deeply rooted in entertainment and the arts.
Following the news of Tamblyn’s death, fans and fellow musicians paid tribute on social media to his influence on rock music. One fan described “Dirty Water” as “one of the most iconic garage rock anthems ever”, recalling how it had remained a dancefloor favorite for decades. Another admirer expressed shock and sadness at his passing, offering condolences to his wife, children, and extended family.
Jack Wolverton, a comic book writer and friend of Tamblyn, shared his personal loss, recounting how surreal it was that a member of a legendary 1960s garage rock band had ended up living nearby in rural Georgia. He remembered Tamblyn as both a talented musician and a good neighbor.
Garage rock and punk enthusiasts worldwide continue to celebrate the timeless appeal of The Standells’ music. Since 2019, “Dirty Water” has even found a new audience, as it is played after Liverpool Football Club victories, a tradition tied to the club’s shared ownership with the Boston Red Sox.
Despite his passing, Larry Tamblyn’s contributions to rock music remain undeniable. His work with The Standells cemented their place in rock history, and his influence will continue to inspire new generations of musicians and fans alike.
