9:04am Tuesday 16th March 2010
A SINGER-SONGWRITER born in the North-East has died at the age of 66.
Lesley Duncan, who was born in Stockton, died in hospital near her home in Tobermory, Scotland, after a five year illness.
She performed backing vocals for Dusty Springfield and also wrote for Sir Elton John, including the track Love Song, which he recorded as a duet with her.
Ms Duncan went on to work as one of Sir Elton’s backing singers and he also played on her debut album, Sing Children Sing.
Her husband, Tony Cox, said he had driven to her bedside on Friday shortly before her death.
He said: “When I arrived at her bedside, the nurse had put on the Sing Children Sing album playing softly in the background.
“I held Lesley’s hand and after about ten minutes Love Song started to play.
“As her lovely song ended, she passed away. It was as peaceful, I think, as death can be, and a relief after her years of struggle.”
A statement from Sir Elton John’s official website said: “We are very sad to hear that Lesley Duncan has died after a long illness.
“Love Song is one of the very few songs Elton recorded in his early career that he did not co-write with Bernie Taupin.”
It added: “We send our condolences to her family and friends."
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