Final farewell to Edelweiss singer Vince Hill: Mourners including Debbie McGee attend funeral for 60s musician who died aged 89 last month
- Hill’s rendition of Edelweiss reached number two in the UK charts in 1967
Friends and family of Edelweiss singer Vince Hill turned out today to pay tribute at a touching funeral ceremony in Henley, Oxfordshire.
The singer, who was 89-years-old when he died last month, is best known for his cover of the hit, originally performed in The Sound of Music and reaching number two in the UK charts in 1967.
Guests entered the service to the acclaimed cover, followed by more music and tributes from loved ones.
Among the mourners was television, radio and stage performer Debbie McGee, 64, herself the widow of the late magician Paul Daniels.
Hill’s sister, Val, shared memories of the singer, from the start of his career singing in a Margate pub through performing in working men’s clubs and ultimately finding fame.
The coffin of Vince Hill arrives at Henley Town Hall for his funeral and celebration if his life. Funeral & Celebration for the life of Vince Hill, Henley on Thames, on August 14, 2023
Hill worked with the likes of Barbara Windsor, Cilla Black and Vera Lynn through his career. Pictured performing at Sonning Theatre in Berkshire, 23 July 2007
Debbie McGee arrives with Bill Mundy for the Funeral & Celebration for the life of Vince Hill
Carry On film actress and singer Anita Harris, 81, performed ‘Smile’ before paying tribute.
She said: ‘Everybody here knows the smile that was Vince, the mellifluous voice, that singing voice that touched all of our hearts.
‘The gentleman, warm and caring and jolly.
‘He had a great empathy with every artist that he worked with and especially with his musicians.
‘The Vince I knew was all that was good.
‘He sang with the best, elegant and refined, his voice wrapped around the song, he will always be remembered.
‘Maybe now from afar, but heaven is so much better. Now shared with his Annie [late wife], with its new and golden shining star.’
Pop signer Vince Hill was born in Holbrook, Coventry, in 1934.
He worked as a baker, truck driver and coal miner before pursuing a career as a singer.
He was ‘discovered’ after singing at The Prospect in Margate, Kent, but had his first break with an appearance in Melody Maker magazine.
Hill was able to climb to new heights with The Raindrops, performing on BBC Radio.
After leaving, he earned his first chart entry with The River’s Run Dry, released in June 1962 on Piccadilly Records.
A year later, Hill bid to be the UK’s entrant for Eurovision, but was beaten to the role by Ronnie Carroll.
And then, in 1967, he reached number 2 in the UK charts with his rendition of Edelweiss.
In 1983, the singer wrote and performed It’s Maggie For Me in support of Thatcher’s election campaign, and continued to perform in various capacities through the 1990s.
Vince Hill’s immediate family arrive for the funeral at Henley Town Hall earlier today
The celebration for the life of Vince Hill inside Henley Town Hall, 14 August 2023
The celebration for the life of Vince Hill inside Henley Town Hall, 14 August 2023
Hill died peacefully at his home in Henley-upon-Thames on Saturday 22 July, according to a statement on his website.
The statement said: ‘Vince created a musical legacy … He and his tunes will remain forever in our hearts.’
It added he was a ‘one of a kind’ and a ‘wonderful guy’, ‘loved universally’ and asked that people respect the privacy of his friends and family at this time.
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