Reg Presley of the Troggs Just left the Building

by Robert Wilkinson

Reg Presley of the Troggs just checked out. He gave us one of the most memorable tunes in history.

Reg Presley (12 June 1941 – 4 February 2013) was the lead singer for the Troggs, said by Lester Bangs to be the "godfathers of punk." While not really well known, they did give us one monster hit. For your remembrance and awe, the prototypical grunge tune that blew the doors down in 1966! Here is Reg fronting the Troggs lip synching to the studio version of their singularly iconic grind, "Wild Thing."

Here are the Troggs live in 1973 at the Marquee Club in an incredibly psychedelic taping of them performing "Wild Thing"

If you wonder about how influential this song was, check this out! From the legendary 1967 Summer of Love Monterrey Pop Festival, here's the greatest Guitar Master of all blowing America's mind! For your enjoyment and amazement, and all "thanks to Bob Dylan's grandmother," the greatest of all doing the full 9+ minute "English and American combined anthem," "Wild Thing."

Here's another Troggs song that also rocked the house! Live from Germany in 1967, drenched with attitude, "I Can't Control Myself"

From what looks to be the same gig, the Troggs performing their second hit, "With A Girl Like You."

Here's the original studio version of the grinding garage rocker "I Want You"

Here's a promo clip of the Troggs for another one that made the charts back then, "Love Is All Around."

For our closer, I found 15 minutes of the Troggs live in 1967! "The Troggs Live in Paris 1967"

RIP Reg, and a huge thanks for what is probably the unofficial national anthem of just about every Western influenced culture! "Sock it to me one mo' time again, aw shucks I think I love you...."

© Copyright 2013 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Diane]

Hey Robert, geez I was so remember when Wild Thing came out, I was 15. Thanks for the memory! Too cool!

[Nancy Robinson]

I was a kid when it came out. Born in 66. But, this internal radio signal picked up on all the great tunes back then. Love Wild Thing!! Sad to see the great music has left us, but boy did he leave behind some great stuff that withstands the turning of the Ages. :)

[Beth in SoCal]

Written on the wind... it's everywhere I go; such fine memories; thanks for the tributes:) - Cancer-5