Buzzcocks Frontman Pete Shelley Passes Away At 63

UK singer and Buzzcocks frontman, Pete Shelley, has passed away at the age of 63. 

According to BBC, the revered Leigh-born songwriter died from a suspected heart attack on Thursday in Estonia where he had been living. 

Buzzcocks addressed Shelley's passing in a statement posted to Facebook this morning. 

"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," the post reads.

"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." 

As well as delivering nine studio albums with Buzzcocks, Shelley produced six solo albums, the latest being 2016's Cinema Music & Wallpaper Sounds. It was also that year that Shelley and Buzzcocks embarked on their last tour of Australia.

Shelley released a number of solo hits, including his 1981 debut single, Homosapien, which was particularly popular in Australia. The track peaked at #4 in the local music charts following its release.

Shelley was also behind Buzzcocks' 1978 single, Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've), which was covered by fellow UK outfit, Fine Young Cannibals. 

The cover proved to be a global hit, hitting music charts in the UK, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and Ireland to name a few.

A number of notable names have paid tribute following the announcement of Shelley's passing.

Part of my youth dies with him. https://t.co/gKpkmScCvc RIP Pete Shelley https://t.co/TsB6QLk2JI

— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) December 6, 2018

"And I hate modern music
Disco boogie and pop
They go on an' on an' on an' on an' on..."

Sadly, now they have stopped.

All of us are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a true original and phenomenal songwriter.

R.I.P. Pete Shelley.

— Stiff Little Fingers (@RigidDigits) December 6, 2018

Farewell Pete Shelley.
The first album I ever owned was Love Bites By Buzzcocks. This is my favourite song by them https://t.co/5PSjuQpPM9

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) December 6, 2018

Oh God but I loved Buzzcocks. And Pete Shelley was an amazing songwriter. "But after all life's only death's recompense." RIP ♥️♥️ pic.twitter.com/vAAg7Jui52

— Tracey Thorn (@tracey_thorn) December 6, 2018

Pete Shelley RIP... here he is @CampBestival 2015... what a legend, what a band #everfalleninlove pic.twitter.com/cTs8vDJjOm

— Rob da Bank (@RobdaBank) December 6, 2018

RIP Pete Shelley! When I was 19 we occupied our college building on Regent Street in London for some reason I forget and someone told Pete Shelley and he turned up in the middle of his night with his guitar and did an impromptu solo show for us.

— jon ronson (@jonronson) December 6, 2018

Buzzcocks = one of THE greatest bands. Largely due to Pete Shelley's genius for saying just enough in his lyrics - not a word more - to let us know what he meant, sexually. (And that, in the often-macho world of Punk, took balls.) His music had that same exquisite terseness. RIP

— Simon Price﮷ (@simon_price01) December 6, 2018

Saddened to hear of the passing of a true punk original Pete Shelley. RIP Pete pic.twitter.com/vpFRtMwU2F

— The Stranglers (Official) (@StranglersSite) December 6, 2018

So sad to lose Pete Shelley. What an inspiration! #RIP #peteshelley https://t.co/3MGnLR19pX

— superchunk (@superchunk) December 6, 2018