Sammy Shmoulik Avigal, a former singer of The Rods and Picture, has died from cancer. Full statement from both the bands can be read down under.

The Rods states: ''Sad news Today about losing our friend and former bandmate Shmoulik Avigal. David David Rock Feinstein and I met Shmoulik when Jack Starr brought him to my house in Cortland. Smoulik and I proceeded to start working with Craig Gruber, Andrew Duck Mac Donald and Tom Inamorato. David loved Shmouliks voice as much as I did so we decided that he would be the lead singer for The Rods on the Heavier Than Thou album. He was an amazing talent and brilliant man who will be missed by those of us who knew him. The link below is for a song I wrote, that he really loved, called "Heat Of The Night". He did the song with another band he was in called Harpo, with John Hahn. I saw them live and they played this song. It was a huge honor to hear him sing one of my songs live. RIP Shmoulik!''

Comments Picture: ''Needless to say we are heartbroken by this terrible news. Sammy was a great friend, a great performer and vocalist. We are very proud that he was the singer in our band in 1982 with whom we recorded one of the best Dutch metal albums ever: Diamond Dreamer.

"We will miss you and would have really wanted to do some tours with you to celebrate this album but it wasn't to be. Our thoughts and prayers go to your wife and next of kin. Godspeed Sammy Shmoulik Avigal!''

Source:	facebook.com
Band profile:	The Rods