Pete Shelley, lead singer of the Buzzcocks, dies at 63
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Pete Shelley, lead singer of the English punk rock band Buzzcocks, died Thursday, according to his management team. He was 63.
"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," his team said in a statement. "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."
The band was formed in England in 1976 by Shelley and former Buzzcocks singer Howard Devoto.
Devoto left the band in 1977 to form the group Magazine. Current Buzzcocks members include Steve Diggle, Danny Farrant and Chris Remmington.
According to its website, they were scheduled to perform in the Netherlands on Dec. 14 with other tour dates scheduled throughout June and August.
The group's first two albums, "Another Music In A Different Kitchen" and "Love Bites," are also being re-issued for their 40th anniversary and are expected to be released in January, the website states.
Glen Matlock, formerly of the Sex Pistols said on Twitter he was shocked by news of Shelley's death, calling him "a superb songwriter, artist and a totally sweet hearted guy who was one of the very few originals of punk."
Jon Wurster, best known as the drummer for the groups Superchunk and the Mountain Goats, recalled a favorite memory he had with Buzzcocks.
"One of the highlights of my life is getting to sit in w/the Buzzcocks in ‘91. I was in the opening band and Mike Joyce didn’t make it to soundcheck. We did 'I Don’t Mind' & 'Ever Fallen in Love.' Pete was very nice and I was impressed that he soundchecked in his stage clothes," he posted on Twitter.
Other musicians also took to the site to express their condolences.
Shelley, whose birth name was Peter Campbell McNeish, also had a successful solo career, releasing his debut single “Homosapien” in 1981. According to Variety , the song was banned by the BBC because it referenced gay sex.
He went on to release "Witness the Change," "I Just Wanna Touch," "Love Me Love My Dog" and others.
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Punk rock really changed the face of music and so did Pete Shelly and the Buzzcocks. It's a huge loss for rock music, even if Punk was not your cup of tea.
I have never heard of The Buzzcocks. What does that make me?
IDK John. Not keeping up with the music scene?
They helped change the sound of music for the 80's and onward. They were that important to music and the music scene of the time.
My loss is my gain.
What is the "music scene"? Music you like? I'm not being sarcastic, but music tastes span all sorts of genres, and I expect that there are many people who were not into punk rock that have never heard of the Buzzcocks.
I never heard of the Buzzcocks either - never into punk rock myself.
John,
Are you kidding? Clubs like CBGB's, The Bottom Line, Danceateria, Max's Kansas City, The Limelight, My Father's Place, The Palladium, The Beacon Theater, The Ritz, Irving Plaza. These are the clubs that broke bands like, The Buzzcocks, The Ramones, Blondie, The Misfits, The Police, The Beastie Boys, The B-52's, and that was just at CBGB's. These bands shaped a lot of music that followed. So no, not just music I like, but Music that is relevant to Rock.
Although The Buzzcocks are not one of my favorites ( they are Matt's) I can respect what they did.
I must have missed out as well, Although somehow I dont feel I did.
To me the best music has already be produced, How many different riffs are there ? I think pretty much the combination of different riffs has been already done in one song or another.
IMO: After the best music with the best instruments was created, it has been downhill since.
But, To Each Their Own
Yes that’s why I mostly listen to music that has a lot of improvisation. That’s when something nobody has ever heard before is created.
That music can be interesting, But some of it seems to me to be either a mess or so unorganized I cant comfortably follow it. Musical instruments can only make so many different sounds. Especially Pleasing sounds. And much of the combinations those instruments produce have already been done. So, It's kinda like reinventing the wheel.
IMO: Once perfected, It's done.
Wow. You guys are making me feel young! Thanks!
Your welcome that's one of the easy gifts to give when ya get old. That and foul air.
lol