The singer-songwriter became an unexpected chart star in 1968 when his self-penned single Rosie reached number four in the UK singles chart, while the follow-up Blue Eyes that same year peaked at number three.
Prior to his brief period of chart success, Partridge, who was born in Bournemouth in 1941, travelled around Europe with his guitar to busk on street corners.
He was signed in 1967 to EMI's Columbia label by Don Paul, a former member of rock 'n' roll group The Viscounts, with Breakfast On Pluto becoming his final chart hit in 1969.
Although the hits dried up, he continued to perform and record, most notably recording the album The Highwayman in 2004 with Herbie Flowers, Nick Pynn and Richard Durrant. Partridge even returned to busking, including around Seaford, East Sussex, which he made his home. He died on Tuesday aged 68.
Advertisement















