Green Day‘s Billie Joe Armstrong has led tributes to Pete Shelley, after the punk icon died at the age of 63 of a suspected heart attack.
The lead singer of legendary Bolton punk rock band Buzzcocks died yesterday (November 6) in Estonia where he was living, the band’s management told the BBC.
Buzzcocks are perhaps best known for their 1978 hit, ‘Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)’.
The frontman’s brother Gary McNeish announced the news on Facebook.
He told fans: “This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, is tell you my brother Pete Shelley had a heart attack this morning and passed away.”
This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, is tell you my brother Pete Shelley had a heart attack this morning and passed away.
Posted by Gary John Mcneish on Thursday, December 6, 2018
Posting on Instagram, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong recalled how he had covered The Buzzcocks during his early days with Green Day.
Ex-Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock remembers Shelley as “one of the very few originals of punk”.
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
One of the all time greats. Lucky enough to have played with them at the Gmex in 2009. RIP Mr Shelley. Your words and music will continue to inspire. This will forever be one of my favourite songs.
The Buzzcocks Ever fallen in love https://t.co/Mo6CPLpAxm via @YouTube
— Liam Fray (@What_Liam_Said) December 6, 2018
RIP Pete Shelley pic.twitter.com/l634wdn1gH
— PIXIES (@PIXIES) December 7, 2018
Tim Burgess tweeted about his favourite Buzzcocks song, ‘Promises’, in paying tribute to Shelley.
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
Pete Shelley had a huge influence which went way beyond rock n roll. Obviously a huge one on @OwenJones84 https://t.co/d9kYEpf6RZ
— Irvine Welsh (@IrvineWelsh) December 7, 2018
Comedian David Baddiel sent a “grumpyoldmantweet” in reaction to people seemingly being more upset about Love Island couple splits than the death of a world-famous musician.
People on here being more upset about Dani Dyer splitting up with some cunt from Love Island than Pete Shelley's death makes me long for 1978 #grumpyoldmantweet
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) December 6, 2018
Tracey Thorn remember Shelley as a an “amazing songwriter”.
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
So sad this evening, just hearing the news that Buzzcocks legend Pete Shelley has died.
A brilliant songwriter, of course.
And those 1978-79 TOTP performances of their early classics are a joy to re-watch.
Like this corker…https://t.co/aoTNF5dux2
— Lee Thompson (@leethommo) December 6, 2018
Genuinely devasted RIP Pete Shelley ?❤️?
thanks for the musicBUZZCOCKS – Ever Fallen In Love (1978 https://t.co/3ne4cuHw4f via @YouTube
— sharon smith (@whiskiesmum) December 6, 2018
The author Neil Gaiman tweeted “part of my youth dies with him”.
Buzzcocks paid tribute to their late bandmember: “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.”