Bobby Vee, the 1960s pop singer who gave a young Bob Dylan his start, has died of advanced Alzheimer’s disease, the Associated Press reports. He was 73.
Born Robert Velline, the singer’s career launched when, at 15 years old, he answered a call for local acts to fill in after Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper died in a 1959 plane crash. He had several hits in the early 1960s, including “Take Good Care of My Baby” and “Run to Him.” Bob Dylan briefly played in Velline’s band and was instrumental in his career, convincing the singer to change his name to Bobby Vee.
Bobby Vee was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2011 and performed his final show that year. He continued recording, releasing his album The Adobe Sessions in 2014.
