Paul Revere, the leader and organist of enduring classic rock band Paul Revere & the Raiders, died on Saturday at his home in Garden Valley, Idaho, according to Billboard. He was 76.

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Revere, whose group earned considerable mainstream success in the late '60s and early '70s, had been fighting cancer over the past year, his manager Roger Hart told the Associated Press. The band had been active in recent years but was sidelined six months ago when Revere decided to take a rest due to health problems, his tour manager Ron Lemen said.

The band announced his death on its website in a lengthy post that takes the form of a letter to Revere.

"Have you ever met a person and felt like you've known them your entire life, sensed a familiarity and warmth?" the post reads. "That's how I felt the very first time I met you, and the feeling only grew stronger the more I got to know you," it continues.

Paul Revere & the Raiders was formed by Revere and singer Mark Lindsay in 1958 in Idaho, initially calling themselves The Downbeats. Revere, then in his early 20s, owned a restaurant and put together the band to attract younger patrons.

After finding local success, The Downbeats moved to Portland, Ore., in 1960 and changed their name to Paul Revere & the Raiders upon the advice of Hart, who had been a disc jockey before becoming their manager. There they recorded their version of "Louie, Louie" by Richard Berry.

The band then headed to Hollywood where they attracted wider attention. They signed with Columbia Records as the label's first rock act and eventually caught the attention of popular TV personality Dick Clark.

The band, which by then had taken to performing in elaborate 18^th-century style costumes, became a regular guest on Clark's weekday afternoon show "Where the Action Is." It went on to produce 20 consecutive hits amid constant changes in its lineup.

Its continuously changing lineup, however, proved detrimental to its success, in addition to shifting musical trends. Nevertheless, Paul Revere & the Raiders continued to perform, with Revere being the only constant member.

Revere is survived by his wife Syndey, to whom he head been married for 35 years. 

TagsPaul Revere, Paul Revere and the Raiders, classic rock