The music world mourns the departure of Jeff “Monoman” Conolly, iconic lead singer of the bands The Lyres and DMZ, which took place on August 6, 2026.
The musician, recognized for his energy on stage, was 69 years old.
Information released indicates that Conolly had been battling bladder cancer in recent times.
He was hailed as a “Boston music legend”, and the uproar on social media demonstrated the great affection and respect the public had for him.
In a message on Facebook, journalist Jim Sullivan lamented the loss: “It’s not the biggest shock, but it still is: Jeff Conolly, lead singer, songwriter and keyboardist for the Lyres, has left planet Earth at age 69.” Sullivan also highlighted Conolly’s long history in the Boston rock scene, which preceded 1978, and recalled the nickname “Monoman”, given by the artist’s passion for music in mono, before stereo. He described the iconic image of the musician with his blonde hair flying as he played his Vox Continent organ with just one hand, creating a “garage rock paradise.”
Singer Thalia Zedek also spoke out on Facebook, praising Conolly as an “incredible musician, artist, songwriter and rock historian.” She considered him an “international ambassador of Boston rock and roll”, comparable to bands like Modern Lovers and Real Kids, and highlighted his good humor and kindness.
Several other tributes and messages from fans and colleagues flooded social media, reaffirming his legacy.
Jeff Conolly founded The Lyres in 1979, and the band continued its activities until 2026.
The hit “Help You Ann”, released by the group in 1983, was recognized by Boston Magazine as Boston’s 13th greatest song of all time.
Over the course of their career, The Lyres have released 11 albums, beginning with “On Fyre” in 1984 and culminating in “On Fyre at the Rusty Nail 1985”, released in 2025.
