Aussie favourite: Novelty pop musician behind 'Agadoo' dies aged 70

The singer and guitarist, whose 1984 song Agadoo reached number 16 on the Australian charts, was looking forward to retiring with his wife Sue Kelly just days before his death on June 2.

"I love you Colin, spent 22 years living your Agadoo dream, we were due to retire to Spain on Thursday, you were so happy, so looking forward to our new life, now you're gone," she posted to a Facebook page promoting Black Lace shows in Tenerife.

Agadoo by Black Lace was the conga-line song of the summer in 1984 and the tropical bop has remained a firm favourite at school socials and disco since.

In 1979 the band represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest and nabbed seventh place with the song Mary Ann.

Black Lace continued to tour internationally until 2024 playing Agadoo along with other major songs including Hokey Cokey, Do the Conga, Superman, Wig-Wam Bam and I Am the Music Man.

Bandmate Dene Michael, who sang in Black Lace from 1987 to 1991, said he was "so sad to announce the passing of my singing partner in Black Lace Colin Gibb" on June 3.

"Rest in peace my friend, God bless you," he said.

Mr Gibb's cause of death has not been revealed but his band's management said the news was "unexpected".

He had announced plans to retire on May 13 thanking fans and the "thousands of friends" he met since joining Black Lace.

"All good things must come to an end," he said.