Kenny Lynch OBE, from Custom House, was one of the few black singers on the British pop scene in the early 1960s. His career as a singer, songwriter, actor, and stand-up comedian has spanned over 50 years.

Lynch was born 18 March 1939 in Stepney and a few years later the family moved to Poplar and then Custom House. His dad worked as a stoker at Beckton Gas Works. He was one of 7 children, there were originally 11 but some died, and his sister, Gladys (stage name Maxine Daniels) was a jazz singer of some note. After leaving school at 15 and various jobs, he did National Service in the Royal Army Service Corps and was the regimental featherweight boxing champion.

He started in showbusiness when he was about 8 years old. He performed in shows at Stratford Town Hall and the Poplar Civic with Peggy O'Farrell's Stage School.

He had several UK hit singles in the early 1960s, including the two Top Ten hits, Up on the Roof in December 1962, and You Can Never Stop Me Loving You in June 1963.

He toured with the Beatles for 2 years in the early 60s and is the first person ever to record a Beatles song, Misery. Years later he appeared on the album cover of Wings 1973 album, Band on the Run, along with other celebrities.

In addition, he has written songs for others - notably, The Small Faces (a Newham band) hit, Sha-La-La-La-Lee, with the American songwriter Mort Shuman. Lynch took part in the A Song For Europe contest in 1962 with the song There's Never Been A Girl, but failed to win through to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. He returned to the contest in 1978, this time as a writer, penning Don't Bother To Knock for the group Midnight. This song was placed second.

His numerous TV appearances include roles in Celebrity Squares, Room at the Bottom and Curry and Chips as well as minor parts in Z-Cars, The Sweeney, Til Death Us Do Part and Treasure Hunt.

Known for charity work, Lynch has often played in charity football matches and Michael Parkinson's 'Celebrity Cricket' fundraisers.

Nowadays he owns a restaurant in North London and recently appeared in the film The Riddle (2007).