TRIBUTES have been paid to Coventry music legend Vince Hill who has died at the age of 86.
Talented Vince was born in Holbrooks on April 1937, attended Hen Lane School and sang his first notes in front of an audience at a pub in Margate, aptly named ‘The Prospect’.
When he left school he had tried his hand as a baker and even a coal miner but his pathway would take him to singing professionally.
The taste of singing had given him the taste and he took it seriously, having lessons with Ivy Fitton. Soon he was singing around the local pubs and clubs.
In an interview with Coventry Music Museum curator Pete Chambers BEM, Vince said Hen Lane Club The Bantam, especially The Bantam, The Unicorn Club and Rowleys Green are still held vivid memories for him.
He aslo started to stretch his wings though Cox Street Club Radford Club, all round the Midlands and up as far as Sheffield in Yorkshire.
Vince continued his craft in the Royal Signals Band during his national service and as part of the cast of the musical Floradora, later joining The Teddy Foster Band in 1958.
Vince points to Edelweiss at Coventry Music Museum. s
Vince’s music career
His first real taste of fame however came when he became part of Len Beadle’s singing group The Raindrops. They featured on the BBC radio show Parade of the Pops basically singing the current songs of the day.
He left the Raindrops in 1961 to go solo, although he continued to appear on Parade of the Pops and on other shows such as TV’s very successful Stars and Garters programme.
In 1963 he signed to Pye Records and gained his first chart entry (49 and a re-entry at 41) with ‘The Rivers Run Dry’.
He moved to Columbia Records and more hits followed like ‘Take Me to Your Heart Again’, ‘Heartaches’ and ‘Merci Cheri’.
It was his next hit however that would prove life changing for Vince.
After much persuasion Vince convinced Columbia Records that a song featured in The Sound of Music could potentially provide a hit for him.
Vince was right and ‘Edelweiss’ became a huge hit for him, peaking at number two in the charts.
Pete said: “People loved the song and loved the singer too, his silky vocals had the ability to take your cares away if only for a brief moment.
“There was always something comforting about Vince’s vocal performances and that was part of the overall magic of the man.”
Vince signs the star door at the Coventry Music Museum. s
‘Vince’s signature tune’
Edelweiss became his signature tune for the rest of his career, a career that saw him top the bill at the Palladium and Talk of the Town.
He also starred in his own successful shows They Sold a Million, Musical Time Machine and Gas Street – a show that would highlight his presenting and interviewing talents.
He still found time to make more hit singles like the popular ‘Roses of Picardy’, ‘Love Letters in the Sand’ and ‘The Importance of Your Love’, as well as charting with the albums Edelweiss and That Loving Feeling.
Vince lost his son Athol in 2014 and his beloved wife Annie in 2016, he was scheduled to sing in Coventry for City of Culture but became too ill to make it.
Reflecting on his passing, Pete, who became a good friend to him, said: “I’ve no idea what to say.
“Vince was a legend his incredible voice shone through backed by a wonderful kind personality, despite all he achieved he remained a top bloke, will I miss him? Totally.
“Vince was always a local favourite, synonymous with Coventry, his velvety voice and mild laid-back manner helped to established him as a household name, and despite illness he still continues to perform and release records.”
Pete remembers Vince saying this to him: “Some people say I am a Coventry lad who made good.
“I suppose, but I never really know whether I have made good or not.”
Pete added: “You definitely did Vince and there will never be another one like you, RIP mate.
