Pop idol Bobby Vee dies at 73

LONDON: Pop singer Bobby Vee, best known for hits including " Rubber Ball," "Take Good Care of My Baby" and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," has died at the age of 73.

Vee died on Monday following a five-year battle with Alzheimer's disease, reported BBC.

His son Jeff Velline said the singer died peacefully surrounded by family.

It was "the end of a long hard road", Mr Velline said. He described his father as "a person who brought joy all over the world", adding: "That was his job."

Born on April 30, 1943 in Fargo, North Dakota, United States, Vee became popular in 1959 at the age of 15 when he replaced Buddy Holly after the singer's death in a plane crash.

He also gave a young Bob Dylan his start. Dylan played briefly with Vee's band and he was the one who suggested Velline change his last name to Vee.

The singer's first hit in the Billboard charts was " Devil or Angel."

A series of hits followed, including "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," "Come Back When You Grow Up," "Please Don't Ask about Barbara" and "Punish Her."

Vee last performed at his own retirement show in 2011, not long after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer.