Paul Vance, Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini songwriter, dies aged 92

Vance had over 300 of his songs recorded (Image: Bruce R. Bennett/Avalon)

Paul Vance, the songwriter behind worldwide 1960 hit track Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini, has died on the age of 92.

The late producer’s daughter Paula confirmed that her father had died on Might 30, surrounded by household, in a tribute to him she posted on Fb on Tuesday.

Vance died at a nursing facility in West Palm Seaside, Florida, with daughter Paula and son Joseph saying he had been declining in well being for over a yr, in line with The Washington Publish.

They didn't share a reason for loss of life.

Born Joseph Paul Florio in Brooklyn, New York, on November 4, 1929, Vance noticed over 300 of his songs recorded by chart-topping artists together with Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and Shirley Bassey.

Different massive songs of his embody his first hit Catch a Falling Star, recorded by Perry Como, Tracy, and Run Joey Run, sung by David Geddes.

Vance’s worldwide hit Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini was launched in 1960 (Image: Thomas Cordy/Avalon)

Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini was carried out by then 16-year-old Brian Hyland and have become Vance’s most enduring track.

It spent 13 weeks on the Billboard chart, together with every week at primary, the place it turned the primary document to be licensed gold by the Recording Business Affiliation of America.

It offered over two million copies internationally and likewise reached quantity eight within the UK charts.

Daughter Paula was stated to have impressed the track’s lyrics after she had a mishap with a bikini on a seaside, and the garment being thought-about fairly risqué on the time helped propel it to recognition.

Later variations additionally noticed success, with the 1990 recording by British pop band Bombalurina, which featured Timmy Mallett, reaching primary within the UK and Eire.

He and composer collaborator Lee Pockriss, who died in 2011, additionally wrote 1973 US quantity two document Playground in My Thoughts, which Clint Holmes recorded.

Prior to creating his means within the music enterprise, Vance had operated an auto salvage enterprise and served within the military.

His spouse Margaret died in 2012, and son Philip died in 2009.

Vance is survived by youngsters Paula, Joseph and Connie; a sister; 9 grand-children and 11 great-grandchildren.