Steve Bronski, keyboard player, percussionist and cofounder of UK synth-pop trio Bronski Beat, has died, aged 61.
The Glasgow-born artist, real name Steven Forrest, was best known for Bronski Beat’s 1984 debut single ‘Smalltown Boy’, which peaked at #3 in the UK charts and has proved to be an enduring hit in the years since. The song became a gay anthem of sorts, owing to its lyrics and video which touched on homophobia and other related issues. All three members of the group were openly gay.
Forrest formed Bronski Beat with Jimmy Sommerville and Larry Steinbachek in 1983. In addition to ‘Smalltown Boy’, they had hits with ‘Why?’, ‘Hit That Perfect Beat’ and a cover of Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’. They released five studio albums, starting with 1984’s The Age Of Consent and rounding of with 2017’s The Age Of Reason, recorded when Forrest was the only original remaining member of the group. Steinbachek passed away in 2016.
"Sad to hear Steve Bronski has died," former bandmate Jimmy Somerville tweetedin tribute. "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."
