Pop Star Greg Kihn, Best Known for the Song ‘Jeopardy,’ Dies at 75
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Greg Kihn passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. His publicist Michael Brandvold confirmed the sad news. Kihn was best known for his hit song “Jeopardy,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was parodied by “Weird Al” Yankovic. Another big hit was “Breakup Song.” While Kihn’s song “Jeopardy” was written about a relationship gone wrong, Weird Al’s version focused on the game show, and the music video featured Jeopardy! host Art Fleming and announcer Don Pardo. Kihn authorized the spoof song if he could participate and is also seen in the music video.
Kihn became a part of the pop music Bay Area scene in the 1980s. He said he was inspired to become a musician after seeing the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. When he was 17 years old, his mother submitted a tape of his songs to the local radio station and he won a Vox electric guitar.
BSR Agency/Gentle Look via Getty Images
Kihn moved to San Francisco in the ’70s and released his first album with Matthew Kaufman’s Beserkley Records. He continued making music throughout the decades and released many albums as well as formed his own band. He went on to become a popular morning show host on the San Jose, California-based station KUFX-FM (known as KFOX) for 17 years.
Gary Miller/Getty Images
Not only that but he also wrote and published several horror novels and edited a collection of short stories written by musicians Joan Jett, Ray Davies and more. Inspired by his love of the Beatles, he released a murder mystery novel about the band called Rubber Soul. On the side, he had an interest in breeding rare praying mantises. He is survived by his wife and two children.
’80s Where Are They Now
March 2023
Who can forget all the great TV shows, movies and music of the ‘80s? See what your favs are up to now!
Buy This Issue