Bronski Beat star Steve Bronski dies aged 61
The British synthpop trio are known for hits like 'Smalltown Boy' and 'Why?'
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Twitter/@JimmySomerville (depicting Bronski Beat’s Larry Steinbachek, Jimmy Somerville, Steve Bronski)
Steve Bronski, a cofounder of 80s synthpop trio Bronski Beat, has died at the age of 61.
The keyboardist, whose real name was Steve Forrest, formed the group in 1983 with Jimmy Somerville and the late Larry Steinbachek, who died in 2017.
The cause of death has not been released.
Bronski’s passing was confirmed on Twitter by Somerville today (9 December 2021), who said Bronski had changed his life.
Sad to hear Steve Bronski has died. He was a talented and a very melodic man. Working with him on songs and the one song that changed our lives and touched so many other lives, was a fun and exciting time. Thanks for the melody Steve. Jimmy x pic.twitter.com/VfxbtZu1Nx
— Jimmy Somerville (@JimmySomerville) December 9, 2021
“Thanks for the melody Steve”
Said Somerville: “Sad to hear Steve Bronski has died. He was a talented and a very melodic man.
“Working with him on songs and the one song that changed our lives and touched so many other lives, was a fun and exciting time. Thanks for the melody Steve. Jimmy x.”
Josephine Samuel, a friend of Bronski’s, told BBC News he was a “gentle, kind and talented man”.
Bronski Beat scored four top 10 singles, including ‘Smalltown Boy’ and ‘Why?’, and a top 10 album with 1984’s The Age of Consent.