Rock vocalist Kiyoshiro Imawano died of a lymphatic disease at a Tokyo hospital on Saturday, his office said. He was 58.

The Tokyo native was diagnosed with throat cancer in July 2006, and had been in and out of the hospital for treatment.

Imawano, who wore extensive makeup on stage, led the band RC Succession and was known for his rough vocal delivery of simple lyrics. The band, which debuted in 1970 and had such hits as "Ameagari no Yozora ni" ("To the Night Sky After the Rain"), stopped performing in 1991.

Imawano subsequently explored other genres of music by collaborating with jazz and even enka musicians.