As a young boy, Devine first attracted attention for his remarkable ability to imitate bird calls.
His talent caught the attention of Scottish tenor Robert Wilson, who invited him to whistle during the recording of his song Cottage By The Lee.
Wilson, a well-known variety performer and in the 1950s an early presenter of the White Heather Club, took the young Devine under his wing.
He would spend more than a decade performing around the world with the White Heather Group before later developing into country music in the 1970s.
Devine soon became widely known for his lively personality, distinctive singing voice and sparkling rhinestone-covered stage outfits.