Pop singer Bobby Vee, whose early 1960s hits included the chart-topping Take Good Care Of My Baby, has died. He was 73.

His son, Jeff Velline, said Bobby, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2011, died on Monday.

Bobby in 2013
Bobby in 2013 (Jeff Baenen/AP/Press Association Images)

Born Robert Velline in Fargo, North Dakota, Bobby was just 15 when he took to the stage in nearby Moorhead, Minnesota, to fill in after the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP “The Big Bopper” Richardson.

Bobby aged 20
Bobby aged 20 (AP/Press Association Images)

Within months, Bobby and his band, The Shadows, had a regional hit with Suzie Baby. He went on to record 38 Top 100 hits.

He also gave a young Bob Dylan his start.

Bob played briefly with Bobby’s band and suggested he change his last name to Vee.