The Amboy Dukes frontman and guitarist Steve Farmer passed away on April 7, reportedly due to a coronary issue, at his home in Redford, Michigan. He was 71.
The owner of a funeral home in Dixon, Kentucky, confirmed his passing to Best Classic Bands.
Farmer was living alone. According to reports, the police found him dead inside his home after a neighbor called them up after he remained unseen for a couple of days.
Farmer’s cousin Luwanda Winstead told Best Classic Bands she spoke to him on April 3. “He sounded great and we had a laugh,” she said. “The last thing I said was that we needed to stay in touch with each other.”
Farmer was the writer/co-writer of seven of the tracks on The Amboy Dukes’ self-titled debut album in 1967.
After a few months, Farmer co-wrote the band’s hit “Journey to the Center of the Mind” with Ted Nugent. The record rose to No. 16 on the Billboard chart in 1968.
After writing 22 songs, Farmer parted ways with the band in 1969, just ahead of the completion of their third album. The original members reunited for a celebratory performance in 2009.
Farmer once said in an interview how the band got their name. “There was this rivalry between The Lourds from Chicago,” he said. “They wore renaissance-style outfits and us, The Gang from the Motor City, we wore the black leather! Well one thing led to another and eventually we united and the Amboy Dukes were born.”
Farmer was born in Union County, Kentuckt, on Dec. 31, 1948, and moved with his family to the Detroit area. He is survived by several cousins.
“Steve continued to write and compose music until his death,” an online obituary read. Neighbors wrote warmly of his friendliness and his continued ability to perform.
A private memorial service will be held in Clay, Kentucky, it is learnt.
(Photo: Feliciano Guimarães)
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