Login | Register
 
Email RSS Feed Twitter Facebook

R.I.P : John Byrne of the Count Five

43  320x240 20081217  countfive2 gallery R.I.P : John Byrne of the Count Five

John Byrne, the lead singer of garage band Count Five passed away after a long battle with cirrhosis at 61, his family confirmed on Wednesday.  Count Five had a hit with the song, “Psychotic Reaction” which charted at number 5 on the pop charts in 1966.  Count Five remained a one hit wonder but the jagged guitar riffs of that song linger in pop culture.

After Byrne was finished with the music industry, he worked at Montgomery Ward as an accountant until they went out of business.  Byrne then suffered through depression and alcoholism, which left him partially blind, and reliant on a walker.  Despite his failing health, Byrne continued to make music until the end.   An autobiography entitled “The 60′s From The Inside” will be published posthumously.

Count Five : Psychotic Reaction

  • Michael Mooney

    A great singer and underrated songwriter. Rest in peace.

    [Reply]

  • Vanessa LaPointe

    John was a great father, and he will be missed dearly. I’m glad that him and his family was a part of my life. RIP John

    [Reply]