Paper Lace musician Cliff Fish has died at the age of 73. The band carried the charts in the 1970s with worldwide number ones and songs hitting top 40s.
Paper Lace is one of the biggest bands to come from Nottingham, they were 'discovered' on talent show Opportunity Knocks, when Cliff was in his 20s. Then, the Nottingham-based band went on to have big hits with Billy Don't Be a Hero and The Night Chicago Died.
Whilst they didn't release many new tracks after the '70s, he continued to perform on occasion with the group, reports the Daily Star.
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His wife Elaine and son Rob announced the news of his death in a statement to The Sun as they said: "We just wanted to share the sad news that Cliff passed away on Friday afternoon after losing his battle with cancer."
Elaine and Rob continued to explain that the two years of Cliff battling cancer was tough but he faced it with "bravery, courage and lived his life to the fullest he possibly could right to the end."
They added: "Everyone that knows Cliff will already know what a kind, caring, fun loving, wonderful, genuine person he was and what a pleasure it was to spend time in his company.
"Not only a talented musician and performer, he made a success from anything he turned his hand to in life and was a devoted Husband, Father and Grandfather throughout."
The tragic news was also announced on Facebook on Cliff’s page. They confirmed that he had passed away at his house in Cyprus.
The family thanked the two carers who "treated and fought for Cliff until the end". As well as this, Cliff’s family shared that they will plan arrangements to celebrate his life in the UK.
They said they would update his fans if they wished to support. Their friends immediately rushed to show their support as one person wrote: "My condolences to you all, Cliff was a tremendous musician but as you stated a lovely guy too. RIP."
Another added: "What a sad day, Cliff was a really lovely man it was a pleasure to have known him and the family, thoughts with you all."
Cliff is survived by his wife Elaine and sons Jon and Rob.
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