Bronski Beat musician Steve Bronski dies aged 61

Steve Bronski, the co-founder of synth-pop group Bronski Beat, has died at the age of 61.

The musician, who was raised in Glasgow’s Castlemilk, formed the band in 1983 alongside Jimmy Somerville and Larry Steinbachek.

Somerville paid tribute to his bandmate, saying: “Sad to hear Steve Bronski has died. He was a talented and a very melodic man.”

He added: “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.”

Bronski Beat rose to fame through their debut single ‘Smalltown Boy’, which told the story of a young gay man leaving his hometown behind for the city, and which became an instant classic upon its release in 1984.

The trio, for which Bronski was keyboard player, went on to release their first album ‘The Age of Consent’ later that year.

The band scored more chart hits with ‘Why?’ and a cover version of ‘I Feel Love’ by Donna Summer.

Somerville left the group in 1985 but they continued through the 1980s and 90s.

Their first album in 22 years, ‘The Age of Reason’, was released in 2017 with Bronski the only remaining founding member.