FOR SIXTIES pop idol Heinz Burt, who was battling against motor neurone disease, death comes just two weeks after he made an emotional farewell stage appearance at a special tribute night.

Fans had packed into the Bishop's Waltham Social Club to give a standing ovation to the former bass guitarist who, with The Tornados, made pop history with the legendary number one hit Telstar.

Heinz, who was confined to a wheelchair, sang for the last time his top ten hit Just Like Eddie - a tribute to his rock and roll hero Eddie Cochran.

Fifty-seven-year-old Heinz, who began his musical career playing in a skiffle band in his home town of Eastleigh, shot to overnight stardom after replying to a "musicians wanted" advert in the New Musical Express.

His audition with the legendary pop guru Joe Meek turned the teenager, who had been slicing bacon in a South-ampton grocer shop, into a household name.

With his distinctive trademark blond hair Heinz became the famous face in the Tornados. The group made chart history by taking Telstar - former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's favourite record - to number one on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Tornados were the pioneers for the golden era of the British pop which opened the floodgates for an academy of home grown talent including The Beatles.

Heinz was born in Germany and moved to Eastleigh when he was seven. As a teenager he soon caught the rock 'n' roll bug and formed his first group in 1960 called The Falcons.

Fame did not bring Heinz a fortune. He missed out on millions of pounds of royalties from his recording hits.

And, in a recent interview with the Daily Echo, Heinz said: "I do not regret the fact that I ever became a pop star.

"The only thing that I regret is that they ripped me off for £1 million."

Heinz was left stony broke living in a Southampton tower block crammed with memorabilia of his days as pop's golden boy.

Fellow musician Jeff Holland, who had known Heinz since the early Sixties, paid tribute to his pop pal and described the former Tornados star as a real showman.

Jeff said: "I am glad that he was able to have a tribute night and that he got a standing ovation for Telstar.

"I had a great respect for him. He was a lovely bloke and will be sadly missed."

There was also a tribute from Dave Donnell, who, thanks to the Daily Echo had an emotional reunion with Heinz at last month's tribute night.

Their get-together came nearly 40 years after the two rock 'n' rollers had gone to London for the Joe Meek audition.

Speaking from his home in Wales, 59-year-old Dave said he was very upset to hear the news of Heinz's death.

"I would like to thank everyone who contributed to my fare to get me to that tribute night.

"It was wonderful to see Heinz again and I am sorry that this has happened."

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