SINGER Vince Hill has paid tribute to his wife and “soul mate” Annie following her death on Thursday last week.
Annie Hill, who was 77, had been suffering from a degenerative lung condition.
The couple, who were married in 1959, shared a riverside home in Shiplake, where they had lived for more than 35 years.
They were well known in the area and attended countless charity and community events together and the 82-year-old singer regularly performed free of charge.
In 2012, the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and invited 130 friends to their home for a party.
In a statement, Hill said: “It saddens me to announce the untimely death on Thursday, September 22 of my beloved wife Annie, who had been suffering from a degenerative lung condition.
“I married Annie in 1959 and feel truly blessed to have shared so many wonderful years with her. As well as being my soul mate, Annie was a terrific mother and she was also responsible for changing my life and fortunes as a singer.
“As you can imagine, I am deeply heartbroken by Annie’s passing. Thank you, Annie, for all the unforgettable years together... God bless you.” Hill met Annie in 1957 when she was secretary to top London agent Tito Burns who was looking Cliff Richard and the Drifters, as they were then known, among others.
With her guidance, he launched his solo career in May 1962 when Piccadilly Records released his debut single
The Rivers Run Dry, which became his first UK hit and led to TV appearances.
Hill was then signed by EMI and went on to have a string of hit singles, including
Roses Of Picardy, Love Letters In The Sand, Look Around (And You’ll Find Me There) and his million-selling signature tune
Edelweiss, taken from the Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical
The Sound Of Music.
The couple lost their only son Athol in January 2014 following a drug overdose. He was 42. Later that year the couple offered a sculpture to Henley as a memorial to their son.
Fans can to leave tributes on the singer’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SingerVinceHill
