Pete Shelley, lead singer of pioneering punk band The Buzzcocks, dies from suspected heart attack aged 63
- Pete Shelley was the front man for the iconic punk rock band
- The 63-year-old is said to have died on Thursday in Estonia where he was living
- The band were best known for their hit Ever Fallen In Love
The lead singer of iconic punk rock band Buzzcocks, has died at the age of 63 of a suspected heart attack.
Pete Shelley was the front man for the band who are best known for their hit, Ever Fallen In Love.
The band’s management told the BBC that Shelley died on Thursday 6 December in Estonia where he was living.
Pete Shelley (left) had performed at the Castlefield Bowl in Manchester earlier this year. He had played at venues across the country including the Roundhouse in London (right)
The band were first formed in Bolton in the 1970s by singer-songwriter-guitarist Pete Shelley and singer-songwriter Howard Devoto.
The most recent formation of the band consisted as Pete Shelley on vocals and guitar, Steve Diggle, on vocals and guitar, Chris Remmington on bass and Danny Farrant on drums.
The band had recently announced that it was set to release 40th anniversary re-issues of its first two albums, Another Music in a Different Kitchen and Love Bites, on Friday 25th January 2019.
ete Shelley of Buzzcocks performs during Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl on July 6, 2018 in Manchester
The Buzzcocks (left to right) he Buzzcocks – Steve Diggle, John Maher, Pete Shelley and Garth Smith, in London in the 1970s
The band were set to play Luxor Live, in the Netherlands later this month, it has not yet been confirmed whether or not the show will go ahead.
Pete Shelley was born on 17 April 1955 in Leigh, Lancashire and aside from being part of the Buzzcocks, had also embarked on a solo career in the early 80s.
He worked with producers such as Martin Rushent and Stephen Hague to craf dance floor friendly synth pop.
Tributes have now started to pour in for the music legend. Singer-song writer and lead singer of the Charlatans Tim Burgess tweeted a farewell message and link to the band’s 1978 song Promises.
He said: ‘Farewell Pete Shelley. The first album I ever owned was Love Bites By Buzzcocks. This is my favourite song by them.’
This is while singer Tracy Thorn said: ‘Oh God but I loved Buzzcocks. And Pete Shelley was an amazing songwriter. ‘But after all life’s only death’s recompense.’ RIP ♥️♥️.’
Other keen observers of the music industry, such as the BBC’s music reporter, Mark Savage, also tweeted his condolences.
‘If you’re anything like me, Ever Fallen In Love will be rattling round your brain for the next couple of hours. RIP Pete Shelley.’
Tim Burgess tweeted a farewell message following the news of Pete Shelley’s death
Singer Tracey Thorn said that Pete Shelley was an ‘amazing sonwriter’
The BBC’s music correspondent Mark Savage also tweeted his sadness