Daryl Dragon of The Beach Boys and The Captain and Tennille dies aged 76

Music fans across the globe have been devastated by the news that The Captain and Tennille star Daryl Dragon passed away on Wednesday at the age of 76.

The talented musician, who also spent five years with The Beach Boys, died as a result of renal failure this week with his long-time partner and ex-wife Toni Tennille by his side, TMZ reports.

According to the US publication Dragon, who was best known by his nickname “Captain”, was receiving hospice care in Arizona at the time of his death.

The keyboard player made his debut with The Beach Boys in the 1960s, becoming an integral part of the band from 1967 to 1972. However, it was his stint with The Captain and Tennille that really shot him into the limelight.

A year before ending things with The Beach Boys, Dragon met his future wife and fellow musician Tennille. Shortly after meeting, Tennille joined her soon-to-be husband in The Beach Boys as an acoustic pianist and it was then that the pair formed a relationship and created their own musical duo The Captain and Tennille.

Their songs, including “The Way I want to Touch You” and “Love Will Keep Us Together”, were hugely popular and the duo even bagged a Grammy during their time together.

Dragon and Tennille married in 1975 and spent 39 years together before divorcing in 2014. The pair remained close friends with Tennille by Dragon’s side during his final moments.

Speaking out following her ex-husband’s death, Tennille described their close bond and praised her ex-hubby’s incredible talent.

“He was a brilliant musician with many friends who loved him greatly,” TMZ claimed she said in a statement. “I was at my most creative in my life when I was with him.”

Fans of the much-loved musician also took to social media to share their condolences and sadness following his death.

“RIP #DarylDragon I always thought you were an awesome musician, and an adorable human being. Rest in gentle peace Sir,” one person wrote on Twitter.

While another added: “RIP Daryl Dragon. Fairly certain watching Captain and Tennille as a kiddo helped foster my secret love of ’70s smaltzy pop music”.

https://twitter.com/ondinemonet/status/1080602916250017793

A third said: “We are terribly sad to hear of Daryl Dragon’s passing. Thinking of his friends and loves ones at this difficult time”.

We are terribly sad to hear of Daryl Dragon's passing. Thinking of his friends and loved ones at this difficult time.

— Induct Dennis Wilson (@InductDennis) January 2, 2019

Dragon is survived by his older brother Doug and his two nieces Kelly Arbout and Renee Henn.

Do you remember listening to The Beach Boys and The Captain and Tennille? Do you have a message of condolence for the musician’s family and friends?