Singer Tim Hauser, founder of Grammy-winning vocal group The Manhattan Transfer, has died. He was 72.
Hauser died on Thursday from cardiac arrest in Pennsylvania, his publicist JoAnn Geffen announced, said The Hollywood reporter. He is survived by his wife Barb and children Basie and Lily.
The first manifestation of the group was established in 1969 in New York City by Hauser, Erin Dickins, Marty Nelson, and Pat Rosalia. Gene Pistilli, a good friend, soon became an integral component. This team lasted until 1973.
The next line-up of the group was formed in 1973 again by Hauser along with singers Alan Paul, Janis Siegel, and Laurel Masse. After performances at Max's Kansas City, the group developed a cult fan base.
The music group covered a vast array of musical styles and has collected multiple pop and jazz Grammy Awards.
'Vocalese', their critically acclaimed 1985 album, earned 12 Grammy nominations, second only to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' as the most nominated album in history.
The group was expected to continue touring, with their next show scheduled for October 23.
The Manhattan Transfer hosted their own comedy-variety series for four weeks in summer 1975.
Their studio album, 'Brasil' (1987) won the Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocal.
Through the years, The Manhattan Transfer recorded with the likes of Tony Bennett, Bette Midler, Smokey Robinson, Laura Nyro, Phil Collins, BB King, Chaka Khan, James Taylor and Frankie Valli.
"Tim was the visionary behind The Manhattan Transfer. We spent more than 40 years together singing and making music, travelling the world and sharing so many special moments throughout our lives. It's incomprehensible to think of this world without him," the other members of the band said in a statement.
Hauser produced the soundtrack to the 1991 film 'The Marrying Man', which starred Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger, and appeared as Woody, the bandleader in the movie.
