Greg Kihn, ‘Jeopardy’ and ‘Breakup Song’ Hitmaker, Dies at 75

There's nothing like music to jar your memory. So it's perhaps not that surprising that hearing about the death of Greg Kihn would stir up more emotions than you might expect. 

My brother Bill absolutely loved "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)" when it came out in '81 so of course I did too -- and always think of him whenever it comes on. (I still have his 45 in a box in my closet.) 

I'm also transported to a few years later when the Greg Kihn Band came to play at my university, which my friend John immediately posted about upon hearing the news of the rocker's death: 

While in college, Greg Kihn played at Arizona State University and I was SO there. At concert time Greg came out on stage alone and announced that he and his band arrived the night before but the equipment and instruments were lost somewhere in flight. He offered refunds but asked if we would like an acoustic concert since we were all here. The crowd said yes and Greg sat on the edge of the stage with his old wooden guitar and did the show unplugged and solo. And it was fantastic! RIP Greg…thanks for the memories.

Debora Iyall (of Romeo Void fame) also had nice things to say about the "Jeopardy" man:

Greg was a great guy, really enthusiastic music lover and so fun-loving. He took up radio DJ’ing for 17+ years in the South Bay after his recording career slowed. I always loved the insight of this verse: “Then the band slowed the tempo and the music gets me down, it was the same old song but they never got a sound.” You got the sound, Greg. Thanks for the music. #gregkihnband #bayareamusic He passed Tuesday at age 75 after suffering with Alzheimer’s. I hope you and Benjamin Bossi of #romeovoid are “out in the atmosphere” somewhere remembering the good times. #greatliveband #allrespect

Hearing that Greg was suffering from Alzheimer's makes me sad. (Condolences to his two children and everyone who loved him.)

What makes me happy is that although "Jeopardy" was a much bigger hit for Greg and the boys, I see that the far superior "Breakup Song" is their most-played song on all the streaming services, which I know would tickle Bill as well. 

May he and his guitar rest in peace. 🙏