Grammy Award-winning jazz musician Chuck Mangione has found himself at the centre of a bizarre death hoax this week, with false reports of his passing spreading rapidly across social media platforms.
The 83-year-old flugelhorn player and composer, best known for his 1977 hit Feels So Good, remains very much alive despite viral claims to the contrary. The rumours appear to have originated from a satirical website before being shared as genuine news by unsuspecting fans.
How the death hoax spread
The false reports gained such traction that representatives for the musician were forced to issue statements confirming Mangione's continued good health. This isn't the first time the jazz legend has been subject to such rumours - similar death hoaxes circulated in 2016 and 2019.
Mangione, who rose to fame in the 1970s with his distinctive blend of jazz, pop and easy listening, won a Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Performance in 1978. His music has featured in numerous films and television shows, cementing his status as one of America's most recognisable jazz artists.
A career spanning decades
Born in Rochester, New York in 1940, Mangione began his professional career in the late 1950s. He gained national attention after performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, where his composition Give It All You've Got became the games' theme.
Despite stepping back from regular touring in recent years, the musician occasionally performs special concerts. His management confirmed he is currently working on new material and planning select appearances for 2024.
Fans have flooded social media with relief at the news that reports of his death were greatly exaggerated, sharing favourite tracks and memories of his influential career.
