R.I.P. Pete Shelley of Buzzcocks
Punk Legend Died of a Suspected Heart Attack
Dec 06, 2018
Buzzcocks
Pete Shelley of 1970s punk legends Buzzcocks has died. According to various news reports, including the BBC, the 63-year-old died this morning of a suspected heart attack at his home in Estonia.
Shelley (born Steve McNeish) formed Buzzcocks in 1976 with Howard Devoto (born Howard Trafford) at the Bolton Institute of Technology. The duo travelled down to London to see Sex Pistols later that year and invited the band up to Manchester to perform, with intentions of Buzzcocks opening for them. Those plans went awry when the other members of Buzzcocks dropped out and there wasn’t enough time to find replacements. Still, Buzzcocks made their live debut the second time Sex Pistols performed Manchester, the following month, opening for the band. By that point Steve Diggle had joined on guitar and John Maher on drums. That early line-up recorded one four-song EP, Spiral Scratch. But then Devoto left the band, later forming Magazine. Shelley thus became the primary singer and songwriter in the band.
Buzzcocks released their first two albums in 1978, Another Music in a Different Kitchen and Love Bites. The latter contained probably their best-known song, “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t've).” The band’s third album, A Different Kind of Tension, was released the following year, but the band broke up two years later, in 1981, due in part to difficulties with both their record company and publishing company.
Shelley then pursued his solo career, which was already underway. In fact his solo debut, Sky Yen, was released in 1980, but was actually recorded in 1974 when he was still at college. The title track off his 1981 solo album, Homosapien, was banned by the BBC for its references to gay sex (Shelley was bisexual). Buzzcocks reformed in 1989, releasing the new album Trade Test Transmissions in 1992. Around this time they opened for Nirvana on one of that band’s final tours. Five more albums followed, the most recent being 2014’s The Way. The lineup fluctuated over the years, with Shelley and Diggle remaining constants. Along with Sex Pistols and The Clash, Buzzcocks were one of the pillars of the early UK punk scene. The long-running British comedy panel game show devoted to music, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, took its name from the band (combined with a Sex Pistols album title, Never Mind the Bollocks).
Below are social media reactions from various fellow artists, as well as some music from Buzzcocks and Shelley.
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
I am totally shocked and saddened to just hear of the untimely death of Pete Shelley.
A superb songwriter, artist and a totally sweet hearted guy who was one of the very few originals of punk and even a one off within that.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/vqYRtYyf1C— Glen Matlock (@GlenMatlock) December 6, 2018
Pete Shelley - a true gent!
He helped us so much at the start of our career out of a sheer love for all things punk. Without Pete & the Buzzcocks I would probably still be working at the Docks. RIP mate. X— Peter Hook (@peterhook) December 6, 2018
Oh no, not Pete Shelley….one of the great songwriters of a generation and one of those musicians that made you feel it was OK to be an outsider. And the Buzzcocks released fantastic singles. RIP…
— Emma Anderson ???????? (@evjanderson) December 6, 2018
RIP Pete Shelly, huge influence on me. PD. pic.twitter.com/LDTf3CKkAY
— Paul Draper (@PaulDraper) December 6, 2018
“I’m the cruiser, you’re the loser.”
Adieu, Pete Shelley. pic.twitter.com/RngvjfSlUx— greg dulli (@MrGregDulli) December 6, 2018
This is very sad news. Such an Incredible songwriter…& those melodies! ???? Thank you for all the amazing music #PeteShelley https://t.co/rsGpzxcPko
— Gaz Coombes (@GazCoombes) December 6, 2018
Damn. Pete Shelley gone. The Buzzcocks were and are a favorite of mine, and I was fortunate to be able to hang with Pete a few times and tell him so. R.I.P., Pete. #Buzzcocks
— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) December 6, 2018
So sad about Pete Shelley. Feeling a bit teary listening to the beautiful tribute to him / Buzzcocks on @BBCGidCoeShow. He was kind of my hero when I was 16 and I never once felt let down. Not only great but s great gateway to Can and other musics too. Thanks Pete. pic.twitter.com/gV4VCZiSBv
— the pastels (@pastels_the) 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
It’s shit that Pete Shelley died.
— Irvine Welsh (@IrvineWelsh) December 6, 2018
not been on here for a while, but I can’t not mark the passing of Pete Shelley. I love(d) Buzzcocks. His songs were important to me when I was a young man and they still are to me now. Thank you Pete and R.I.P. You will be missed.
— Norman Blake (@normanblake) 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
Part of my youth dies with him. https://t.co/gKpkmScCvc RIP Pete Shelley https://t.co/TsB6QLk2JI
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) December 6, 2018
RIP Pete Shelley ???? Buzzcocks were a massive influence on the Thermals and I’m so glad I got to meet him and play with them pic.twitter.com/2htqBGbmqG
— Hutch Harris (@InstantAnxiety) December 6, 2018
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