A MUSICIAN originally from Denbighshire, who went on to share the stage with some of the biggest stars of a golden era for rock and roll in the 60’s, has died.
Following a short illness, Peter Wynne died on January 19 at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
During a very successful music career, the 81-year-old went on to tour the world and sold thousands of records.
Mr Wynne had supported the likes of Billy Fury, Marty Wilde and Joe Brown and was also meant to have been travelling in the car that crashed and killed 21 year-old Eddie Cochran in 1960.
He released his first record, ‘Chapel of Dreams’ in 1959 and performed hit songs throughout the 60’s including ‘Ask Anyone in Love’ and ‘I’m a Fool to Want You’.
PIC: Karen Hazelwood.
He also recorded at Abbey Road after signing a deal and toured in the likes of Miami, Florida and Nashville, Tennessee and had also lived in Tasmania for some time.
Mr Wynne eventually moved back to North Wales in the 70’s, where he lived in both Henllan and Denbigh. Upon his return to the area, he began working for Royal Mail and became known as ‘The Singing Postman’.
In 2016, he released a compilation of his songs entitled ‘As Time Goes By’.
Paying tribute, his daughter Karena Hazelwood said: “He loved singing from when he was a young boy when he went to Sladen school and became Head boy he also excelled at Sport becoming the all England champion at the discus.
“Singing was his passion. He was discovered by Larry Parnes and joined what was called his stable along with Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, Joe Brown Georgie Fame and many more.
“He was also a very good artist and has done many paintings of landscapes and people. He was an intelligent and witty person who always had many stories to tell and achieved much in his life. He will be sadly missed by all his friends and family.”
Hundreds of tributes remembering Mr Wynne were also posted to social media following his death.
Fellow 60’s singer and actor Mark Wynter (pictured with Mr Wynne below) wrote: “RIP Peter Wynne. Lovely voice, lovely man.”
PIC: @markwynter1 (Twitter)
Jesse Conrad, also an actor and singer, added: “Sad loss. Peter was one of the good guys.”
Fellow ‘Stable’ member Marty Wilde, who was one of the first British pop stars to emulate American rock and roll, said Mr Wynne would be ‘fondly remembered’.
Mr Wynne was one of five children born to a Canadian father; Charles Hazelwood and a mother from Ruthin; Carmen Williams.
He leaves behind five children of his own – Karena, Katrina, Simon, Grant and Daniella as well as nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.