Rock Pioneer Chris Stamp, Who Helped Launch The Who, Dead at Age 70

Chris Stamp & Roger Daltrey in 2007; Jason Kempin/FilmMagicRock pioneer Chris Stamp, who co-managed The Who and co-founded the band's Track Records label, **** Saturday at age 70 from cancer at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, reports Billboard.com.

The Who vocalist Roger Daltrey had a great deal of respect for Stamp, and it was evident when the band took the stage Saturday night at Detroit's Joe Louis Arena. Daltrey reportedly described Stamp as a man "without whom we wouldn't be the band we were."

Daltrey added that Stamp "flew into the universe on a pair of rainbow wings. Chris, we can never thank you enough -- well, I can't, for what you brought to my life."

Meanwhile, on their official website, TheWho.com, the band said Stamp’s passing is "hard to bear," and they promised that a tribute will be coming soon.

Stamp and Kit Lambert were the two managers who launched The Who, and Chris was the executive producer on most of their albums and films, beginning in 1968. Stamp's credits with the band include the 1968 Magic Bus album, and he also executive produced Tommy, Who's Next, Quadrophenia and the soundtrack for the 1975 film Tommy.

Track Records was the home of Jimi Hendrix, and the label from which the Jimi Hendrix Experience single "Purple Haze" and album Are You Experienced? were launched.

One interesting fact about Chris is that he was the younger brother of actor Terence Stamp, who portrayed the arch-villain General Zod in Superman and Superman II, opposite Christopher Reeve. He has appeared in many other films.