Greg Kihn, the rock singer-songwriter whose hits “Jeopardy” and “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em)” helped define 1980s power pop, died at the age of 75 on August 13, 2024. The cause of death was complications from Alzheimer’s disease, his family said in a statement.
Kihn’s rise to fame began in the late 1970s with the Greg Kihn Band, part of the Beserkley Records scene in San Francisco, California. His music, a blend of folk, classic rock, blues, and pop stood out with its catchy hooks and punchy lyrics. In 1981, “The Breakup Song” became a breakout hit, peaking at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Two years later, Kihn found even greater success with “Jeopardy,” which soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983. The song became a staple on MTV, with its quirky music video gaining heavy rotation.
In a humorous twist, Kihn’s 1983 hit found unexpected life beyond the charts when “Weird Al” Yankovic released a parody titled “I Lost on Jeopardy” in 1984. The parody took off, becoming one of Yankovic’s signature pieces, and even featured a cameo by Kihn himself in the music video. Kihn was known to have embraced the parody wholeheartedly, viewing it as a clever tribute to his work. He often remarked in interviews that Yankovic’s version extended the song’s cultural relevance and brought it to a new audience.
In addition to his music career, Kihn enjoyed an 18-year tenure as a DJ at KFOX, a classic rock station in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he became a favorite among listeners. In 2012, he was honored with induction into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame. Looking back on his varied career paths in a 2022 interview, Kihn expressed a deep sense of pride and gratitude, noting that his radio, music, and writing work had left him feeling fortunate and fulfilled.
Kihn also ventured into literature, publishing six novels and several short stories. His debut novel, “Horror Show,” earned him a Bram Stoker Award nomination in 1996. He followed it up with titles such as “Big Rock Beat” and “Rubber Soul,” which delved into a fictional mystery surrounding The Beatles.
In his later years, Kihn’s music experienced a resurgence when “The Breakup Song” was featured in the video game “Grand Theft Auto V.” He noted in 2019 that the song had remained popular over the years and still maintained its relevance. Kihn felt the track was a great fit for the game and expressed pride in being associated with it.
Greg Kihn is survived by his wife, Jay Arafiles-Kihn; his son, Ryan Kihn; his daughter, Alexis Harrington-Kihn; his son-in-law, Samora Harrington; grandsons Nate and Zuri Harrington-Kihn; his sister, Laura Otremba; and nephews Larry, Lou III, and Matthew Otremba.
A private memorial service will be held for Kihn’s family and close friends, followed by a public celebration of life concert, with details to be announced.