Johnny Strike, frontman of influential and pioneering San Francisco punk band Crime, has died at the age of 70.

Strike, who formed the band in 1976, had been battling cancer for some time.

Michael Lucas, the musician’s publicist, confirmed the news of his death: “Johnny Strike, author and co-founder of San Francisco’s First and (Still) Only Rock and Roll Band, CRIME, is dead after a long battle with cancer that he preferred to keep private,” he wrote.

“As per his request, no official memorial service will be held, but I encourage anyone who cares enough (and you all should) to do whatever seems appropriate.

“This makes it official, as far as I’m concerned: San Francisco just isn’t San Francisco anymore. SAN FRANCISCO’S DOOMED!”

Strike was active with Crime between 1976 to 1982 before the band split up to work on different projects having released three records in that time. Crime was re-formed in 2005 to headline the Road to Ruins punk festival in Rome with original members, the band went on to release yet more records.

The current members of Crime have also performed in San Francisco under the band name ‘Remote Viewers’.