Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini songwriter Paul Vance dies aged 92

Legendary Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini songwriter Paul Vance has died aged 92.

The songwriter who penned a catalogue of hits in the ’50s and ’60s passed away at a West Palm Beach nursing facility in Florida on May 30 with his daughter Paula Heart at his side according to the Washington Post.

Paul was best known for No1 hit Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini which got its debut release in 1960 and became an anthem across the decades.

He regularly co-wrote alongside Lee Pockriss – who passed away over a decade ago in 2011 – and produced a series of pop hits including Catch A Falling Star, Playground of My Mind and Tracy.

The duo worked at Manhattan’s Brill Building which was a base for many other iconic musical geniuses including Burt Bacharach, Carol King, Neil Sedaka, and Paul Simon.

The pair penned Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini in the 1950s inspired by Paul’s daughter who was embarrassed to wear a bikini in public at the time due to its perception as a risque garment.

Daughter Paula shared the sad news of his death with a Facebook post where she confirmed she had been by his side while he passed away. She said she had been “sat by his side for hours playing beautiful music, mostly his of course.”

The cause of his death has not been confirmed but it is believed his health has been declining for the past year.

Amongst the songs played as he died was his single Playground In My Mind. The track featured his son Phillip on the choruses who passed away in 2009 at the age of 44.

Paula posted: “As I sit here to write a tribute to my Dad Paul Vance, Legend, famous songwriter, author, and owner and lover of his many winning race horses, I do so with a heavy heart because to me he was just my Dad. Last night at 7 pm on Memorial Day, my dad passed away in my arms.

“I sat by his side for hours playing beautiful music, mostly his of course, and he took his last breath while listening to my brother Philip’s voice singing My name is Michael, from his hit song, Playground in my mind. Only you Dad, only you lol. It’s as if he wrote the way he would take his last breath on earth.”

She continued: “For those of you who knew him personally, my dad’s first career was that of a boxer. My dad the fighter ….. some things never changed! He fought the fight to win, right up to his last breath. His last words to me were don’t leave me yet as he gripped my hands to pull me close, and as feeble as he was the strength of this Fighters hands pulled me close to his lips so I could hear him say I’m sorry Paula, I love you, I love you, I love you.

“As sad as I am today I have peace in knowing that in my Dad’s last days and weeks of his life, he asked God to forgive him and said the sinner’s prayer with me more than once. His light went out yesterday but when I look up at the stars at night I will always remember to Catch a falling star and put it in my pocket and never let it fade away!

Paula finished her tribute writing: “RIP now Daddy, I know you and mommy are dancing to your songs in heaven right now with all of our loved ones in a circle around the 2 of you clapping as you dance the Lindy in each other’s arms forever.

“On behalf of my brothers Joseph and Philip, and my sister Connie we still have to discuss in which way we will honour his life. For those of you who hold on to anger and bitterness, I just want to say that when you forgive you set yourself free and the person you are forgiving. Don’t wait till it’s too late. Please keep us in your prayers and let’s remember all the good and fun times we shared because of the Amazing talents of this one dynamic crazy dude I call Daddy!”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk