NEW YORK (AP) — Tim Hauser, the founder and singer of the Grammy-winning vocal troupe The Manhattan Transfer, died Thursday from cardiac arrest, band representative JoAnn Geffen said Friday. He was 72.

Hauser founded Manhattan Transfer, who released their debut album in the early 1970s and launched hits such as "Operator" and "The Boy from New York City." They went on to win multiple pop and jazz Grammy Awards. Their critically acclaimed album, 1985's "Vocalese," earned a whopping 12 Grammy nominations.

Alan Paul, Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne — who joined in 1978 and replaced Laurel Masse — rounded out the foursome.

"Tim was the visionary behind The Manhattan Transfer," they said in a statement. "It's incomprehensible to think of this world without him."

Hauser first formed Manhattan Transfer in 1969 with Erin Dickins, Marty Nelson, Gene Pistilli and Pat Rosali. They disbanded and Hauser met some of the band's new members as a taxi driver in New York City. He met a conga player while driving who introduced him to Siegel and he also met Masse while driving.

Hauser was born in Troy, New York. He is survived by his wife Barb Sennet Hauser, his son Basie and his daughter Lily.

Manhattan Transfer will continue their upcoming tour despite Hauser's death. Their next show is Oct. 23 in Manchester, New Hampshire.

I am very saddened by this news because they were my favorite "vocal" band. I've seen them perform many times over the years, even in recent times when it seems like they've had a rotation of one of the singers being "out". For example, Cheryl Bentyne was dealing with breast cancer two years ago. Janis Siegel was touring Japan recently. Tim Hauser was out for back surgery. They've substituted another singer to complete the foursome, and the show was good, but not the same as seeing ALL FOUR of these singers together -- that is truly magical. Now, it will be impossible to hear that magic in person again as the fourth person has passed away.

I boldfaced the last line of that news article above because it seems odd to me that the group would want to continue the current tour. I imagine they are pretty devastated. There should be a clause in contracts that says, "If someone dies in our group, especially someone so integral, the tour is off!" I hope there is a Manhattan Transfer vault because I will surely miss their music!

R.I.P. Tim -- you will be missed.

R.I.P.

One of favs from back in the day.

Sad news indeed, earlier today while out driving I was listening to songs off their Brasil and Vocalese albums.

oh damn, what a loss... one of my fave bands ever, I have almost their entire cataloge (which is biiiiig....) on vinyl and CD, it will be tough not having new output from them in the future

a sad, sad day

their takes on Corner Pocket (aka Until I met you) and Four Brothers

their song selection when covering standards & classics was always so right on point. I soooooo much dig that classic Big Band sound, and Corner Pocket and Four Brothers are easily in my personal Song Top 10 of all times (whatever version you pick)

[Edited 10/20/14 2:04am]

Best use of a Manhattan Transfer sample ever.

[Edited 10/30/14 7:14am]

Have all of their cd's