Kidderminster musician Peter Wynne who shared stage with rock legends has died

He was even meant to be travelling in the car that crashed and tragically killed 21-year-old Eddie Cochran.

Peter had supported the star’s final gig at Bristol’s Hippodrome Theatre that night in 1960, and once told how he owned a copy of a concert poster that had Eddie’s name scribbled out from the bill after the tragedy.

Peter grew up in Kidderminster and raised a family here with wife Carrie

During a very successful music career, Peter went on to tour the world and sold thousands of records.

He released his first record, Chapel of Dreams, in 1959 and performed hit songs throughout the 60s including Ask Anyone in Love and I’m a Fool to Want You.

He performed in hit London musicals and visited the US to record with Elvis Presley’s backing musicians.

Early on in their career, The Beatles offered to perform as Peter’s backing band – but he turned them down.

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.

Peter was born in Denbighshire but spent much of his youth growing up in Kidderminster and went on to raise a family in the town with wife Carrie.

He was one of five children born to a Canadian father, Charles Hazelwood, and a mother from Wales, Carmen Williams.

Peter eventually moved back to Wales in the 70s. Upon his return, he began working for Royal Mail and became known as the Singing Postman.

Peter Wynne with Mark Wynter

In 2016, he released a compilation of his songs entitled As Time Goes By.

Following a short illness, Peter died on January 19 at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, aged 81.

Paying tribute, his daughter Karena 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 to the local legend have also been shared on social media since the news of his death.

Read more:

Fellow 60s singer and actor Mark Wynter wrote: “RIP Peter Wynne. Lovely voice, lovely man.”

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 Peter would be “fondly remembered”.

Peter leaves behind five children, Karena, Katrina, Simon, Grant and Daniella, as well as nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.