Bobby Vee dies aged 73 after a battle with Alzheimer's

The 1960s teen idol was known for tracks including Rubber Ball and Suzie Baby 
Pop icon: Bobby Vee has passed away at the age of 73
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Jennifer Ruby25 October 2016
The Weekender

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Pop icon of the past Bobby Vee has died at the age of 73 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

The US singer, who rose to fame as a teen star in the 1960s, passed away on Monday morning while in hospice care in Minnesota.

Vee released an impressive 25 albums during his prolific career and had a string of hits including Rubber Ball and Take Good Care of my Baby.

The singer’s big break was marred by tragedy when he and his band were asked to step in and replace Buddy Holly at the Winter Dance Party Tour the night he was killed in a plane crash.

After becoming a teen idol during the 1960s, Vee went on to land 38 singles in the Billboard hot 100 between 1959-1970.

Vee is also credited with discovering Bob Dylan after he gave a young Robert Zimmerman the job of piano player in his band The Shadows.

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Dylan famously paid tribute to Vee during a concert in Minnesota back in 2013, telling the crowd:

“I lived here a while back, and since that time I’ve played all over the world, with all kinds of people. Everybody from Mick Jagger to Madonna and everybody in between.

“But the most beautiful person I’ve ever been on the stage with was a man who’s here tonight, who used to sing a song called Suzie Baby.

“I’m gonna say that Bobby Vee is actually here tonight. Maybe you could show your appreciation with just a round of applause.”

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