Pete Agnew, the band’s longtime bassist, announced McCafferty’s passing on Nazareth’s official Facebook page.
“Dan died at 12:40 today,” he wrote, adding, “This is the saddest announcement I ever had to make. Maryann and the family have lost a wonderful loving husband and father, I have lost my best friend and the world has lost one of the greatest singers who ever lived. Too upset to say anything more at this time.”
Born in Dunfermline, Scotland, in 1946, McCafferty and Agnew founded Nazareth in 1968 with guitarist Manny Charlton and drummer Darrell Sweet, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.
As per The Scotsman: “For many fans, McCafferty’s voice defined the sound of Nazareth - a band which started out as The Shadettes and kicked against the rule of covers only in the ballrooms of Dunfermline to make made their way to London…”
Very sad to hear of the passing of Nazareth’s Dan McCafferty today. I was honored to be his company on the Rock Meets Classic Tour in 2016. My thoughts and condolences to his family and close friends. pic.twitter.com/o0cos0OttI
Nazareth failed to gain a mainstream following until its third album, 1973′s “Razamanaz,” peaked at No. 11 on the singles chart in the United Kingdom before creeping into the Billboard 200 at No. 157.
Dan McCafferty one of the greatest vocalists & loveliest people along with Pete Agnew it was such a great honour to support this amazing band on tour & to sing with Dan Lorraine Ellison's Stay With Me Baby. Fantastic moment in my life being a life long @NazarethBand fan 😃 pic.twitter.com/LV1T1W2Xfm
The band’s next two outings performed similarly, but 1975′s “Hair of the Dog” cemented the group’s standing as rock legends, punctuated by their amped-up cover of the Everly Brothers “Love Hurts.” The album reached the Top 20 of the Billboard 200, while “Love Hurts” scored a Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
McCafferty announced his retirement from the group in 2013, citing a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that restricted his ability to breathe, Ultimate Classic Rock reported.
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Dan McCafferty through the years Dan McCafferty of Nazareth performing on stage at City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, 15 May 1974, on tour promoting the album 'Rampant'. (Photo by Ian Dickson/Redferns) (Ian Dickson/Redferns via Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years UNITED KINGDOM - 10th AUGUST: Photo of NAZARETH and Manny CHARLTON and Dan McCAFFERTY and Darrell SWEET and Pete AGNEW; Posed studio group portrait for the Loud 'n' Proud album session. L-R Pete Agnew, Dan McCafferty, Darrell Sweet and Manny Charlton (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns) (Fin Costello/Redferns via Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years Singer Dan McCafferty of Nazareth performing at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago, Illinois, April 22, 1977. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) (Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years DUNSTABLE, UNITED KINGDOM - 1st OCTOBER: Scottish rock group Nazareth perform live on stage in Dunstable, England in October 1973. L-R: guitarist Manny Charlton, singer Dan McCafferty and bass player Pete Agnew. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns) (Fin Costello/Redferns via Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years Dan McCafferty of Nazareth performing at the Aragon Ballroom In Chicago, Illinois, March 17, 1978. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) (Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years Narareth, studio group portrait, London, 1974, L-R Pete Agnew, Dan McCafferty, Darrell Sweet, Manny Charlton. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) (Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years LONDON - 10th AUGUST: Singer Dan McCafferty from Scottish rock group Nazareth posed for a studio session for the band's 'Loud n' Proud' LP cover session. (Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns) (Fin Costello/Redferns via Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years DETROIT, MI - MARCH 6: Scottish vocalist Dan McCafferty, of the Scottish hard rock band Nazareth, sings on stage during their 1981 The Fool Circle Tour on March 6, 1981 at the Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images) (Icon and Image/Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 01: Photo of Dan McCAFFERTY; Dan McCafferty appearing with Nazareth at Glasgow Barrowland's Frankie Miller Tribute. 7th Sept 2002 (Photo by Marc Marnie/Redferns) (Marc Marnie/Redferns via Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years BERLIN - MAY 27: Singer Dan McCafferty of the Scottish hard rock band Nazareth performs live during a concert at the Postbahnhof on April 27, 2010 in Berlin, Germany. The concert is part of the tour 2010. (Photo by Jakubaszek/Getty Images) (Jakubaszek/Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years LITTLETON, CO - JUNE 9: Nazareth vocalist Dan McCafferty performs during the Hudson Gardens Summer Concert Series on June 9, 2013 in Littleton, Colorado. The Hudson Garden Concert Series continues through the summer with shows every Sunday. (Photo by Seth McConnell/The Denver Post via Getty Images) (Seth McConnell/Denver Post via Getty Images)
Dan McCafferty through the years UNSPECIFIED - JULY 26: RED ROBINSON THEATRE Photo of NAZARETH and Dan McCAFFERTY, Dan McCafferty performing on stage (Photo by Kevin Statham/Redferns) (Kevin Statham/Redferns via Getty Images)
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