The Knack lead singer dies

'My Sharona' hitmaker Doug Fieger died of cancer aged 57...

17:21 15 February 2010

Doug Fieger, the lead singer of The Knack, who co-wrote the hit single 'My Sharona', has died at the age of 57.

Fieger passed away on Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. The songwriter and rhythm guitarist had been battling cancer, and had undergone surgery to remove brain tumours in 2006.

"Our hearts are broken, we will miss you Doug," his band members posted on The Knack's official website.

'My Sharona' was a massive hit for the power pop/new wave group, topping the US singles chart in 1979 for weeks, and led to the group being hailed as the "next Beatles".

The song, co-written with Berton Averre, was inspired by an ex-girlfriend of the same name.

It was re-released in 1994 after featuring in the Ben Stiller film 'Reality Bites' spending some more time on the charts, and was later revealed to be on former US president George W Bush's iPod.

The catchy tune also reached No 6 in Britain.

Former member Bruce Gary died of cancer in 2006, while Berton Averre and Prescott Niles still perform gigs as The Knack.