Greg Kihn Dies: Singer-Songwriter Known for ‘Jeopardy’ Was 75

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Greg Kihn passed away at the age of 75 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. His publicist Michael Brandvold confirmed the sad news. Kihn was best known for his hit song “Jeopardy,” which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was parodied by “Weird Al” Yankovic. Another big hit was “Breakup Song.” While Kihn’s song “Jeopardy” was written about a relationship gone wrong, Weird Al’s version focused on the game show, and the music video featured Jeopardy! host Art Fleming and announcer Don Pardo. Kihn authorized the spoof song if he could participate and is also seen in the music video.

Kihn became a part of the pop music Bay Area scene in the 1980s. He said he was inspired to become a musician after seeing the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. When he was 17 years old, his mother submitted a tape of his songs to the local radio station and he won a Vox electric guitar.