Pavlov’s Dog Frontman David Surkamp Dies at 73

David Surkamp, the lead singer and defining voice of progressive rock band Pavlov’s Dog, has died at 73. The band announced his unexpected death on Oct. 13, remembering him as a poetic, deeply expressive songwriter and a generous collaborator who remained devoted to performing. Surkamp founded Pavlov’s Dog in St. Louis in the early 1970s; the band’s 1975 debut, Pampered Menial, became known for its sweeping arrangements and his distinctive high-register vocals. After the group’s initial breakup, he continued making music through reunions and later Pavlov’s Dog releases. No cause of death was disclosed, and the band expressed condolences to his family, including his children, Saylor and Evan.