Edelweiss singer Vince Hill dies as tributes paid to 'incredible performer'

23 July 2023 , 10:46

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Vince Hill's death age 89 has been announced

Singer Vince Hill, best known for his cover of the hit Edelweiss originally from The Sound of Music, has died at the age of 89.

Vince rose to fame with his debut single The Rivers Run Dry before he was signed to EMI's Columbia label in 1965 and went on to produce a number of hits.

The singer's cover of Edelweiss, from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music, was a favourite amongst fans and reached number two in the charts and remained within the UK charts for 17 weeks.

Before his solo career, Vince first sang in public as a teen and joined vocal group Raindrops, but went solo in 1962.

Vince's hits include Look Around, The Rivers Run Dry, Daydream and Doesn't Anybody know My Name.

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His death was announced on Twitter, in a post on Vince's account which read: "Sadly we have to share news none of us want to hear. We’re very sorry to have to tell you Vince has left us.

"He passed peacefully at home. Vince created a musical legacy…his tunes will remain forever in our hearts.

"Here’s to you V…you bloody legend".

Vince's death was announced on Twitter (COPYRIGHT 2018)

Celebrities flooded social media with tributes to the singer

Les Dennis led tributes to the singer, as he tweeted: "Heard the news driving home tonight and cried. Did two summer seasons with Vince.

"He was brilliant on stage and more importantly he was a lovely man. Remember visiting him and Annie at their beautiful home in Henley. They welcomed Dustin and me and we had a lovely evening. RIP X".

Singer Lyn Paul added: "Oh no! One of the nicest guys I had the pleasure of working with. RIP Vince. Xx".

While the Twitter account for John Shuttleworth, a character portrayed by Graham Fellows, wrote: "Devastated to hear that the wonderful Vince Hill - ‘last seen on Pebble Mill’ - has passed away. I met Vince in November 2017 in Coventry and sang him my song ‘Whatever Happened to Vince Hill?’ Now we know. Have a good time in heaven Vince!"

Radio DJ Tony Blackburn added: "So sorry to hear that singer Vince Hill passed away yesterday. We were in the same agency in the 60’s and he was a very nice guy. He had a great voice and his version of Edelweiss in 1967 was a big hit. R.I.P Vince."

Boxer Frank Bruno shared a memory of the singer as he penned: "Vince Hill RIP sad news of the passing of this middle of the road singer we worked together on many charity shows ultimate professional his big hit Edelweiss I remember once a mic stand suddenly collapsed on him when he was about to start to sing a song he said "lets do that intro again" and he carried on went cool as a cucumber".

Pete Chambers from Coventry Music Museum told Yahoo! news: "He really was an amazing singer and also an absolute gentleman," said Pete Chambers from Coventry Music Museum.

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"He had that sort of velvety voice [and] wow he could project it.

"An incredible performer and a lovely man."

Meanwhile, one fan wrote on Twitter: "Another Great Sadly Gone RIP Vince Hill".

Another fan added: "Just too sad...not just a musical genius, but a truly lovely man. Rest peacefully Vince xx".

And a third penned: "This is so sad. My mum loved his music and one of the records - which Istill have - I remember hearing was ‘Look a around and You’ll Find Me There. RiP x".

Amy Denman