Singer Alan O’Day Dies At 72

Singer-songwriter Alan O’Day died on Friday, May 17, after a battle with cancer. O’Day, who was best known for his No. 1 hit “Undercover Angel,” was 72.

O’Day first garnered fame as a songwriter in the 1970s when he penned hits like Cher’s “Train of Thought,” the Righteous Brothers’ “Rock and Roll Heaven,” and Helen Reddy’s “Angie Baby.”

The singer and songwriter was born in Hollywood, California as an only child. He once recalled how he learned to create melodies on a xylophone at the age of six.

But Alan O’Day also co-wrote dozens of songs for the Muppet Babies cartoons. It wasn’t until 1977 when the singer rose to the top of the charts with his own single, “Undercover Angel.”

Alan’s record label, 1st Phase Records, announced Alan O’Day’s death, explaining he passed away at his home in Westwood, California, surrounded by family and friends. The label’s statement added:

“Alan continued to write and perform until his last days. Alan was a generous man who gave his heart and soul to the music industry.”

Along with the aforementioned hits, O’Day also enjoyed success writing songs for other artists, such as Johnny Mathis, the 5th Dimension, Tom Jones, Tony Orlando, Paul Anka, Dusty Springfield, and many many more. His close friend and award-winning songwriter Dianne Warren also expressed her sorrow at Alan O’Day’s death, writing:

“My dear friend and mentor Alan O’Day has passed away. ‘If you believe in forever, then life is just a one night stand. If there’s a rock and roll Heaven, well you know they’ve got one hell of a band.’ From Alan’s son Rock and roll Heaven). Well the band just got better. Rest in Peace my friend.”

While Alan O’Day never received a Grammy Award for his work, he was nominated for an Emmy for Muppet Babies and won a Parent’s Choice Award for “Really Wild Animals.” “Undercover Angel” also earned a gold record.

Alan O’Day’s funeral services are pending. He is survived by his wife, Yuka.