Tributes paid to veteran singer Kenny Lynch
JIMMY TARBUCK has remembered his friend Kenny Lynch as “a great singer and a wonderful personality who looked great in a good suit”.
The veteran entertainer said he had visited the Up On The Roof singer at home in the last month when he was very ill, adding that he was “ready to die”.
Lynch, who died yesterday aged 81, and Tarbuck frequently performed together over the years and Tarbuck said they ended up roaring with laughter as they reminisced recently on “so many” good times.
He told the PA news agency: “He was a very good singer, the whole family was, his sister was a great singer, a wonderful personality and he looked great in a good suit.”
A statement from Lynch’s family said: “Saddened to share this news with you all.
Sadly our dad passed away in the early hours this morning.
“He will be remembered & missed by many. We would like to say a massive thank you to the NHS & the people at Sue Ryder for all their support. Bye Dad, we will love you always!”
Radio presenter Danny Baker tweeting that Lynch was a “huge talent, a pioneer and tremendous company”.
Singer Boy George tweeted: “God Bless Kenny Lynch. R.I.P. My love and condolences to his family and friends. Absolutely huge part of my 70s life.”
Of Caribbean and Irish heritage, Lynch was one of the few black singers in British pop music in the 1960s.
In 1963 he appeared alongside The Beatles on their first British tour when both acts were on the bill for a string of dates headed by singer Helen Shapiro.