Sky Saxon, Seeds frontman, dies

The Seeds, who hit the charts with their 1965 hit "Pushin' Too Hard," were credited with helping to popularize psychedelic rock and seen as a precursor for the punk movement, The New York Times reported.

Saxon, who was believed to be 71 when he died Thursday, composed songs and played electric bass for the short-lived but cult-popular band.

Sabrina Smith Saxon, told the Times she didn't know her husband's age because he thought age was irrelevant.

Born Richard Elvern Marsh in Salt Lake City, he used Sky Sunlight Saxon in later years. His middle name was given to him by the Source Family, a spiritual cult whose leader -- known as Father Yod or Ya Ho Wha -- started what has been described as the quintessential hippie commune, the Times said.

After the Seeds dissolved, Saxon performed and recorded with numerous bands, and he occasionally played with the Source Family's own band, known as Ya Ho Wha 13.

Besides his wife, survivors include several siblings, children and grandchildren.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.