The legendary singer Cy Tucker has died at the age of 76 after becoming infected with coronavirus.
Cy, who performed with The Beatles in Liverpool before their heyday, fell ill a week ago with COVID-19 symptoms and died at the Royal Liverpool Hospital after falling ill with symptoms one week ago, the Liverpool Echo reports.
A close friend of Cy's, Arthur Kerevan, 69, said the musician started showing coronavirus symptoms after playing a gig last Saturday.
It is thought Cy is the first person in Liverpool to die after suffering from coronavirus symptoms.
Speaking to the Echo, Cy's family said: "As a family we are devastated at the sudden loss of our husband, father-in-law, grandad, brother and friend who touched so many lives through music.
"To the city of Liverpool he was Cy Tucker, but to us he was our world.
"He forever doted on his family, especially his wife, children and grandchildren, who he always showered with affection.
"He had a smile that could light up the darkest of rooms and his witty personality would charm all he came across."
They went on: "Despite the pain and sadness, we have been comforted by the endless amount of messages we have received from those who watched him perform in many of Liverpool’s pubs and clubs for over 60 years.
"Performing on stage, be it big or small, was his great passion and he would never be afraid to get up and sing, even on family holidays."
"What makes his loss even more heart-breaking is the fact that it could have been so easily avoided had it not been for coronavirus.
"In less than a week we have gone from having a healthy and energetic man to one who is no longer here.
"We urge people to follow government advice and do what is necessary so not many families have to experience this nightmare," they added.
Arthur said the father-of-three "always had a smile on his face" and was a legend in Liverpool.
He said: "I only found out this morning. My brain's frazzled and it’s hard to think, it's just so sad.
"The fact that he's gone at this time is so sad, because I think if it was normal times Liverpool would have lined the streets, because he was literally that big.
"He was from the sixties, but he didn't stay in the sixties. He just kept going and he went with the times."
Cy had previously suffered with ill health, battling heart problems and diabetes, and was considered to be at high-risk of coronavirus due to his age.
Arthur added: "His wife and daughter were with him when he died, then it was confirmed he had the virus."
Cy first had his taste of the spotlight "aged 10 or 11", said his friend, when he started singing.
He fell into the club circuit and worked with Cilla Black, The Beatles and other famous names from the era.
"By 12 or 13 he was singing in pubs and getting paid in cigarettes, then he just went to other things," said Arthur.
"I joined him in 1982 but the sixties were when he got quite big. He's a legend in Liverpool because of his voice."
