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Bobby Vee, Alzheimer's: Singer Announces Retirement Due to Disease

Hulton Archive, Getty Images

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Former teen idol Bobby Vee, who recorded a string of pop music hits in the 1960s, says he's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Born Robert Velline 69 years ago in Fargo, N.D., Vee launched his singing career following the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP "Big Bopper" Richardson while enroute to an appearance in Moorhead, Minn. Vee and several classmates filled in for the trio in Moorhead, which led to Vee's first single "Suzie Baby," on Soma Records, a Minneapolis label.

On his website, Vee says he was diagnosed last year, but wanted to keep it private until now. The St. Paul Pioneer Press says Vee's wife of 48 years, Karen Velline, is also dealing with health issues. She's on a waiting list for a lung transplant.

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Bobby Vee's "Take Good Care of My Baby"


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Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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raidrone

God Bless, Bobby. Enjoy your music very much.

May 04 2012 at 12:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Uu

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May 03 2012 at 9:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Uu

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May 03 2012 at 9:15 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
Bird

One of my favorites when I was growing up. I quickly graduated to the Beatles and Led Zep etc, but at the time I very much liked his music.

Blessings,
Papa
www.papatrains.com

May 02 2012 at 3:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
vipdevron

This is very sad news. So many people say they are praying for Bobby. Don't you people realize that if there was a God he wouldn't have the disease in the first place?

May 02 2012 at 1:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to vipdevron's comment
sarahawad777

God didn't let this disease come about or any other disease into the world. God created the natural laws of the universe and when humans break these laws then there are consequences. They don't happen because of God..they happen because of the corrupt nature of human beings. Humans are so quick to blame God for everything when in actuality, it's us who are doing this to ourselves. We pray so that He can intervene and protect us from ourselves!

May 02 2012 at 2:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to sarahawad777's comment
syl1969

what a crock

May 03 2012 at 4:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down
syl1969

my thoughts exactly.... this guy was very popular when I was young, and I have many of his records. Never remember a bad word said about him. No drugs, he's been married for 49 years, really good guy! So sad. This disease is horrible.

May 03 2012 at 4:55 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
bob

I was hoping he would do one more tour like Glen Campbell. I really liked him, and wish I could have seen him perform.

May 01 2012 at 8:17 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
DEBRA

So sad. Bobby, you brought such joy to us teenage girls. You were and are such a "hunk" :). God bless you and your wife. I pray that they find a cure for this horrible disease. Thank you Bobby... What a beautiful voice you have.

May 01 2012 at 8:09 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
PAX CHRISTI DAN

As a product of the 60s, I still listen and enjoy.

May 01 2012 at 8:09 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
mark

Bobby Vee and Buddy Holly music never went out of style to the people that grew up listening.I wish the 50s and 60s were still here.I am hoping they find a cure that will help this guy.

May 01 2012 at 7:59 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
homeexperts

Oh..this saddened me. He was my teen idol. Lord "Take good care of my baby"....I played his music over and over again...Prayers for Bobby

May 01 2012 at 7:54 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply

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