Steve Ellis, whose voice carried Love Affair’s Everlasting Love to the top of the British chart in 1968, has died at 76. His death on October 30 was announced after complications from a chronic illness. His career continued through other bands and solo albums, including recent collaborations with Paul Weller and a new album released in September.
Steve Ellis, the lead singer of Love Affair, has died at 76. A social-media announcement said he died on October 30 following complications from a chronic illness. BMG also confirmed his death. His voice led the group’s version of Everlasting Love to number one in Britain in 1968, when he was 17. The song remained at the top for two weeks.[1], [2]
Born in Edgware in 1950, Ellis formed Soul Survivors at 15; the group later became Love Affair. After their first single failed, Everlasting Love changed their fortunes. Buzz Cason and Mac Gayden wrote it, and Robert Knight recorded the original. Ellis sang his version between shifts on a building site. Rainbow Valley, A Day Without Love and Bringing on Back the Good Times brought three more British Top 10 hits. Ellis later described a difference between his attachment to soul and the band’s move towards progressive rock.[1]
Ellis formed another band under his surname in 1972, with Roger Daltrey producing its debut album, before joining Widowmaker. His solo career included The Last Angry Man and Basement Days. Best of Days reunited him with Daltrey in 2008 and began a lasting collaboration with Paul Weller. Weller shared production duties on Boom! Bang! Twang! in 2018 and co-created three songs on Ellis’s latest album, Baby Faced Assassin, released in September. Weller paid tribute after his death was announced.[1]
