Pop legend Wayne Fontana has passed away

Pop has lost another of its legendary figures with the passing of Wayne Fontana who's died aged 74 from cancer. Born Glynn Ellis, he was the leader of the Mindbenders, a Manchester outfit who joined the British invasion by scoring a number one hit in America with 1965's 'Game Of Love'.

He also had numerous hits on this side of the Atlantic – 'Game Of Love', 'It's Just A Little Bit Too Late', 'Pamela, Pamela' and 'Gina' among them – both with the band and as a solo artist.

While the chart placings dried up, Wayne continued to work the nostalgia until recently with his voice still a thing of bluesy beauty.

"So sorry to hear about the passing of great '60's icon Wayne Fontana yesterday," says Tony Blackburn who championed Wayne during his offshore pirate Radio Caroline and London days. "He was a lovely guy and gave us some great songs."

RIP Wayne Fontana (pictured 2nd left), popular 1960s rock and pop singer originally with the Mindbenders as his backing group, has died (6 Aug 2020) at the age of 74. His most successful hits were: "Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um" (1964) / "Game of Love" (1964) / "Pamela Pamela" (1966). pic.twitter.com/wYCEkMYqeK

— Paul Feeney (@postwarhistory) August 7, 2020

He was a front runner in the British Invasion, and a hero for the great work he did looking after Herman's Hermits guitarist Derek Leckenby in Lek's final days. Remembering dear friend Glyn Ellis aka WAYNE FONTANA, who died in a nursing home today, age 74. https://t.co/IC18TbThl7 pic.twitter.com/9zQ46iLnvZ

— Michael McDowell (@BlitzMagazine) August 6, 2020