Vince Hill
As singer Vince Hill marks 55 years since the launch of his solo career, he talks poignantly about the inspiration of his late wife Annie
He’s enjoyed a career stretching back 55 years, a multi-million selling recording artist who headlined his own TV and radio shows. But none of it would have happened, says Vince Hill, (83) without the love, support and encouragement of his beloved late wife, Annie. “She was the love of my life,” he says, simply. “We met when she was working for a well-known agent in London called Tito Burns and she and I were together for almost 60 years and married for 57 of them. She was involved in everything I did, a brilliant critic of my work but also the sternest! She was a total inspiration.” Towards the end of his 70s, Vince performed in a one-off show at Ronnie Scott’s singing with his big band. “I loved it. The next day, I said to Annie: ‘I think that’ll do.’ After 50 years, it seemed like a fitting end. But the more we talked, the more we got enthusiastic about the idea of an album I wanted to call Legacy. It was to be my last hurrah.” Annie was as keen on the idea as Vince but her time was running out; she had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis that attacks the lungs and passed away in September 2016. “This album reflects what I hope is the best of my career but it’s also a lasting memorial to Annie. I’m convinced she’s looking down now smiling on this latest venture.” Three years before Annie’s passing, the couple lost their only child, Athol, following an accidental drugs overdose. Says Vince, “We never quite got to the bottom of it. He just went to sleep one night and simply didn’t wake up the following morning. It was a terrible shock.” Athol was the father of two children and they are a constant source of joy to Vince now that he’s on his own. Niamh is 18, Athol’s daughter by his first partner. Young Felix, six, is Athol’s son by his second partner. “Both of them are very much in my life. In fact, they’re the light of my life and I see them as often as I can.” The combination of his adored grandchildren and the renewed interest in his career has put a skip back in Vince’s step. “Career-wise,” he says, “I feel as if I’ve been born again.” A whole swathe of old albums are being rereleased and all the tracks remastered, which makes them sound even better. “There’s going to be so much material out there,” he jokes, “you won’t be able to get away from me!” So what of that huge back catalogue of material? If he had to choose, which would be his favourite? “I recorded a special version of I’ll Be Seeing You to be played at Annie’s funeral. I couldn’t have got through it if I’d sung it live. It had always been her favourite. And it’s no exaggeration to say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.” Legacy, my Hits & rarities (1965-74) rrp £9.99 For more details about Vince, visit www.vincehill.co.uk