Carl Wayne, the lead singer of influential 1960s pop group the Move, has died at the age of 61. He had hits with songs such as "Flowers in the Rain" - the first song to be played on BBC Radio 1 when it began in 1967 - and achieved major success with a series of Top 10 hits that included "I Can Hear The Grass Grow", "Blackberry Way", "Curly", "Fire Brigade" and "Night Of Fear".

Wayne died peacefully at home on Tuesday morning after battling cancer. He was born on 18 August 1943 in Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham.

After the Move, and a varied solo career, he enjoyed success with the Hollies, joining them in 2000. Their drummer Bobby Elliot said, "Carl was one of the music business's great characters. He was a fearless performer and a powerhouse singer. It has been an honour to work with him. I shall remember his five years with The Hollies with great pride and affection."

Carl had a great voice, and if you've never heard the Move's Shazam album, you've missed perhaps the best sounding rock LP before Who's Next. While his departure made room for Jeff Lynne (and the eventual development of ELO), Carl Wayne's two albums with the group provide evidence of one of the best British bands never to make an impact in the USA.

More infornation and links to Carl Wayne and Move websites.

Some nice tributes here, as well.