'Mad Man of Rock and Roll' Dead at 76

Paul Revere, the organist and leader of the Raiders rock band, has died. He was 76. The manager for Paul Revere and the Raiders says Revere died from cancer at his home in Garden Valley, Idaho, over the weekend. "He'd been quiet about it for some time," the manager says. "Treated at the Mayo Clinic, Paul stayed on the road as long as he could, then retired recently back to Idaho." Revere, born Paul Revere Dick, became known as "the madman of rock and roll" for his theatrical Colonial wardrobe and infectious onstage persona with the band, which served as the house band for the Dick Clark TV show Where the Action Is.

The group became popular in 1963 with its rendition of Richard Berry's "Louie, Louie" before releasing its own hits, such as "Kicks," ''Hungry," and "Good Thing." The band's biggest smash came in 1971 with "Indian Reservation." While the band's lineup changed over the past 50 years, Revere remained a constant presence with the group and continued touring until earlier this year. "I don't want to get into the details, but let's just say, it ain't fun," he said last year of his battle with cancer. "It's been rough getting through the last few shows, but I would do whatever it takes to avoid missing a show. I'm giving it my all, and then some, and the band tells me I've been even more awesome than usual." (More obituary stories.)