Pete Shelley, the lead singer and co-founder of seminal punk act Buzzcocks has passed away. He was 63 years old. The BBC reports that Shelley passed away in Estonia of a suspected heart attack.
It's with great sadness that we confirm the death of Pete Shelley, one of the UK's most influential and prolific songwriters and co-founder of the seminal original punk band Buzzcocks.
— Buzzcocks (@Buzzcocks) December 6, 2018
In a statement shared with Rolling Stone, a representative for the Buzzcocks has eulogised:
“It’s with great sadness that we confirm the death of Pete Shelley, one of the UK’s most influential and prolific songwriters and co-founder of the seminal original punk band Buzzcocks. Pete’s music has inspired generations of musicians over a career that spanned five decades and with his band and as a solo artist, he was held in the highest regard by the music industry and by his fans around the world.”
Watch: Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen In Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=terg_LPT3X0
Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto formed Buzzcocks together in the mid-70s. The band released their debut EP Spiral Scratch in 1977. Their debut record Another Music In a Different Kitchen was released the following year – where it soared to the Top 20 on the British album charts.
The most recent record The Way was released in 2014.
