Tributes have been paid to Bradford rock 'n' roller Dave Lee.

His band - The Dave Lee Sound - performed in some of the world's top music spots, and he was one of the most popular musicians to be born in Bradford.

Today his partner Joan Bradshaw of Church Street, Buttershaw, said: "Dave was one of the great rock 'n' rollers of Bradford. People will always remember him."

Andy Greaves of Northgate, Baildon, a music producer who was a drummer and backing singer in the band for 11 year said: "He was a frail looking man who was a dynamo and brilliant musician"

He recalled how the band were in cabaret in Jersey with It Ain't Half Hot Mum stars Don Estelle and Windsor Davis when the duo's Whispering Grass was number one. And Mr Greaves said in 1970, after coming second to Neil Reid in Hughie Green's Opportunity Knocks, there was "rocking to the ceiling" when the band played at the Oddfellow's Arms in Eccleshill.

The band have played in South Africa, with Bruce Forsyth, Hot Chocolate, Shakin Stevens and Tony Christie.

David was a natural musician who taught himself to play the piano after watching a female pianist at his local pub. He turned professional in 1968. A highlight of his life was when he met Jerry Lee Lewis in Manchester, played the piano and drank whisky backstage with the star.

In 1993 he was chosen to play his idol in the stage show Lipstick On Your Collar.

Joan said David suffered from emphysema and his health had been failing for the last two years. He had just returned from Spain where he was resident at a club in Benidorm.

Dave, who has three daughters and a son from two previous marriages died in Bradford Royal Infirmary, aged 63.

Rachel O'Connor, of Yeadon, said: "I first came across Dave when my Dad used to book him and his band for concerts in Burley in Wharfedale Rifle Club.

"Dave was regarded in these parts as being better than Jerry Lee Lewis. My husband Tony and I still have them in our collection.