He died after suffering from a stroke. RIP.

The announcement was shared on social media on behalf of his family and his wife, Barbara. In the message, he was described as “one of the loveliest people,” while friends and fans were thanked for years of warm words on birthdays and holidays.

Under the posts, hundreds of farewell messages appeared. Some wrote that he had been their “first idol and first love,” while others said an entire era had gone with him: “Now none of our boys are left — but they will never be forgotten.”

The group’s story began in 1964, when three young musicians joined forces under invented “family” surnames to make it easier to get into clubs and bars. In reality, they weren’t related — but on stage they sounded as if they had known each other all their lives.