Final farewell to Troggs lead singer Reg Presley

Reg Presley
Reg Presley, lead singer of The Troggs Photo: PA WIRES

More than 200 friends and family have attended the funeral of Reg Presley, the frontman of the popular 1960s band 'The Troggs'.

Most famous for his rendition of their most widely known song 'Wild Thing' released in 1966, Presley who was from Andover in Hampshire, died at home surrounded by relatives on 4th February. The 71-year-old had retired from singing a year ago after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Among the mourners at Basingstoke Crematorium were musicians Noddy Holder - from Slade, Bruce Welch from The Shadows and Chip Taylor - who wrote 'Wild Thing'.

The service opened with Sting singing 'Fields of Gold', and 'Wild Thing' was also played.

Lesley Nash, a civil celebrant led the service and spoke of Reg Presley's life from the time he was a bricklayer, through to his years as a global music star, and his home life with Brenda, his wife of more then 50 years, their children Karen and Jason, as well as their five grandchildren.

She said that when he had initially been asked to join the band he had told his would-be bandmates that he could not play an instrument. But, she said he told her that the band's response was: "You can play bass, you will learn", and he did.

"Reg made the inevitable but nevertheless difficult decision to reluctantly announce his retirement. To lose the job he loved so much destroyed him...

"Reg was very normal and down-to-earth, that's why so many people loved him.

– Lesley Nash, civil celebrant at Reg Presley's funeral

During the service Reg Presley's grandson read a poem called 'Empty Chair'. The musician's family asked for donations from wellwishers to be made to The Stroke Association and The Countess of Brecknock Hospice Trust.