Heinz (singer)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Heinz
Img_capt = Heinz (front) and The Wild Boys
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Heinz Henry Georg Schwartze
Alias =
Born = 24 July 1942
Died = 7 April 2000 (aged 57)
Origin = Detmold, Germany
Instrument = Bass guitar
Genre = Pop music
Occupation =
Years_active = 1962-1970s
Label = Decca, Columbia (EMI)
Associated_acts =
URL =
Current_members = "(backing musicians)"
The Saints
The Wild Boys
Dave Adams
Ritchie Blackmore
Ian Broad
John Davies
Mick Underwood
Past_members =
Notable_instruments =

Heinz Burt (born Heinz Henry Georg Schwartze, 24 July 1942, Detmold, Germany - died 7 April 2000, Weston, Hampshire, England), and mainly publicised by his first name, was a bassist and singer.

Life

He was born in Detmold, Germany, but was brought up in Southampton, England (there is now a close named after him in nearby Eastleigh, Hampshire). His biggest solo hit was "Just Like Eddie", a tribute to his fellow rock and roller, Eddie Cochran. Before he went solo in early 1963, he was previously 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 intensively questioned by the 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 involved in at least two re-formations of the Tornados.

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

Backing groups

He was initially backed by The Saints. His later backing group (named "The Wild Ones", "The Wild Boys") once featured a young Ritchie Blackmore and Mick Underwood among many others. Blackmore actually performed on the aforementioned hit "Just Like Eddie".

Death

Crippled by the effects of motor neurone disease, Heinz died in 2000, at the age of 57. Friends in Eastleigh have held an annual tribute night to raise funds for a motor neurone charity since his death.

Discography

ingles

*"Dreams Do Come True" (Meek) / "Been Invited To A Party" (Meek, Burt) 63-05 Decca F 11652
*"Just Like Eddie" (Goddard) / "Don't You Knock On My Door" 63-07 Decca F11693
*"I Get Up In The Morning" (Meek) / "Talk Like A Man" / "That Lucky Old Sun" / "Lonely River" (Meek) 63-10 Decca DFE 8545
*"Live It Up" (Meek) / "Don't You Understand" (Meek) / "When Your Loving Goes Wrong" (Meek) 63-11 Decca DFE 8559
*"Country Boy" (Goddard) / "Long Tall Jack" (Meek/Lawrence) 63-11 Decca F11768
*"You Were There" (Goddard) / "No Matter What They Say" (Meek/Lawrence) 64-02 Decca F 11831
*"Please Little Girl" / "For Loving Me This Way" (Meek) 64-06 Decca F 11920
*"End Of The World" / "You Make Me Feel So Good" (Meek) 65-07 Columbia DB 7656
*"Heart Full Of Sorrow" / "Don't Worry Baby" (Meek) 65-11 Columbia DB 7779
*"Movin' In" (Adams) / "I'm Not A Bad Guy" 66-06 Columbia DB 7942
*Heinz & Wild Boys: "Questions I Can't Answer" / "Beating Of My Heart" (Meek) 64-10 Columbia DB7374
*Heinz & Wild Boys: "Diggin' My Potatoes" (Trad, arr. Meek/Burt) / "She Ain't Coming Back" 65-02 Columbia DB 7482
*Heinz & Wild Boys: "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" (Dylan)/ "Big Fat Spider" (Meek/Davis) 65-04 Columbia DB7559

Albums

*"Tribute to Eddie" (Decca LK 4599, 3/1964)
*Live album - Various Artists; "Live at The Cavern":"I Got A Woman" (live) / "Somebody To Love" (live) 1965 Decca SLK 16294

External links

* [http://www.billyfury.com/heinzlastset.htm www.billyfury.com - Heinz' Last Set / Links to Obituaries]