Heinz (singer)

Heinz (Heinz Burt, 24 July 1942, Detmold, Germany – 7 April 2000, Weston, Hampshire, England) was a bassist and singer.

Life

Heinz was born in Detmold, but from the age of seven was brought up in Eastleigh, Hampshire, England, where a road (Heinz Burt Close) is named after him. His biggest solo hit was "Just Like Eddie", a tribute to Eddie Cochran. Before he went solo in early 1963, he was a member of The Tornados. All his 1960s recordings were produced by Joe Meek. He owned the shotgun with which Meek killed his landlady and then himself in 1967, and was questioned by police before they concluded he had nothing to do with their deaths.

Meek's death ended Heinz's recording career as a solo artist although he was in at least two re-formations of the Tornados.

Although often dismissed as a mediocre talent pushed into the spotlight by Meek, he was an enthusiastic performer and worked in pantomime and theatre in the 1970s. In later years he appeared in 1960s revival shows and continued performing until the end; his last set was from a wheelchair at a social club two weeks before his death.

He was portrayed by JJ Feild in Telstar, a film about the life of Joe Meek, which was released in 2009.

Backing groups

He was initially backed by The Saints. His later backing group (The Wild Ones or The Wild Boys) featured Ritchie Blackmore and Mick Underwood...
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