‘Last Kiss’ Singer Wayne Cochran Dies

Wayne Cochran, 78, known for his blue-eyed soul singing and pompadour hairstyle, died of cancer at his Florida home, according to his son, Christopher.  

Jeffery A. Salter / Miami Herald via AP – Wayne Cochran
1995 file photo from the Voice of Jesus Christian Center in Miami.

Cochran, nicknamed White Knight of Soul, was popular in the 1960s and ’70s with songs such as “Last Kiss” and “Going Back to Miami.” “Last Kiss” was re-popularlized by Pearl Jam, who recorded a cover of the song for a charity album in 1999 and routinely played the tune live.

In later years, Cochran’s work caught the attention of fans from Elvis Presley to Rod Stewart and the Blues Brothers. Cochran and his band, the C.C. Riders, opened for Presley in Las Vegas before the fast pace of the industry led Cochran to make a change.

The singer disbanded C.C. Riders in the 1970s and launched The Voice of Jesus Church in Miami Gardens, where attendees were free to cut loose, dance and have fun.