Fortune lead singer Rod Allen dies after short illness

Rod Allen, lead singer of British band The Fortunes, has died following a short illness, the group said on its Web site. He was 63.
"It is with the deepest regret and sadness that we have to announce that earlier today, after a very short illness, Rod quietly and peacefully passed away with his family around him at his home in Coventry," the band was quoted by Reuters as saying.
It did not specify the date of Allen's death. Media reports said he had been suffering from liver cancer. Allen was married with two children and three grandchildren.
"Rod's terrible illness was diagnosed just two short months ago and we all held our breath and hoped and prayed that his treatment would succeed ... but it wasn't to be," the band said on www.thefortunes.co.uk.