The Tornados musician Roger Lavern, who played keyboards on iconic hit Telstar, has died at the age of 74.

LaVern lost his two-year battle with prostate cancer on 15 June (13).

He made history as a member of the first British group to top the charts on both sides of the Atlantic when The Tornados hit Number One in the U.K. and U.S. with 1962 instrumental track Telstar.

The song, written by producer Joe Meek, is a landmark in rock 'n' roll history and its success is credited with opening the door for The Beatles to conquer the States.

Paying tribute following his death, LaVern's wife Maria Jackson says, "We, his wife, his children Sebastian and Trinia and his extended family give thanks to the Lord for his life and will always love him and miss him. He will always carry on living in our hearts and in our minds. He was a lovely, kind, caring person."