Former Uriah Heep singer John Lawton dead

 The former lead singer of the British hard rock band Uriah Heep ("Lady in Black") is dead. John Lawton died completely unexpectedly on June 29, according to a statement on the band's website today. He had not suffered from an illness. "He died peacefully at his wife's side," it said. He was buried with his family and close friends.

Although Lawton joined the band only after their big breakthrough and was only a relatively short time, he was involved in the production of four albums, including "Firefly", "Innocent Victim" and "Fallen Angel". Successful from this time was above all the song "Free Me".

"Rock music has lost one of its greatest rock voices of all time, and his legacy will live on forever," Uriah Heep guitarist Mick Box paid tribute to his former bandmate.

Founder died in November

Before and after his time with Uriah Heep, Lawton was a member of the rock band Lucifer's Friend for several years. For a long time he was also part of the Les Humphries Singers, founded in Germany.

In November, Uriah Heep co-founder Ken Hensley died at the age of 75. The London-born rock legend had played with Uriah Heep between 1970 and 1980.