Pop Singer Steve Ellis Dies Aged 76
Steve Ellis, who fronted 1960s group Love Affair and lived in Portslade, has died following a chronic illness.
Brighton musician Steve Ellis passes away
Pop singer Steve Ellis, who made his home in Portslade and adopted Brighton as his base, has died aged 76. He passed away on 30 October following complications from a chronic illness, with his family confirming he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones.
Ellis found national fame in 1968 at just 16 years old as frontman of Love Affair. Their cover version of Everlasting Love topped the UK singles chart, notably keeping The Beatles' Hello, Goodbye from the number one position that same year.
Early career and chart success
Before Love Affair achieved mainstream success, Ellis formed his first band Soul Survivors at age 15. Love Affair, which included Rex Brayley, Mick Jackson, Lynton Guest and Maurice Bacon, went on to score multiple chart hits including Rainbow Valley, A Day Without Love, and Bringing On Back The Good Times. Ellis left the group in 1969 to pursue a solo career, later fronting bands including Ellis and Widowmaker.
Life in Sussex
Despite his London origins, Ellis settled in Sussex for decades and became a notable part of the area's music heritage. In 2003, he returned to performing at the Concorde 2 in Brighton to launch his solo album A Sort Of Innocence. He later recorded an acoustic version of Everlasting Love with cellos and performed a live recording alongside Paul Weller in Crawley.
When asked about Jamie Cullum's 2004 cover of Everlasting Love for the film Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Ellis remained gracious. He told The Argus: "People are trying to get me to slate him and I am not going to do it. I have heard the song and it is all right."
Ellis was inducted onto the Brighton Music Walk of Fame on Brighton Palace Pier in 2018. Rock musician Paul Weller paid tribute following his death, posting: "Our dear mate Stevie Ellis passed on last week. God bless ya Stevie, safe travels. Everlasting love for sure." Blues musician Norman Beaker described Ellis as "a legend with the mod movement" and "a great character" with "a great voice".
Source: read the full story