Steve Ellis, Love Affair Singer Behind ‘Everlasting Love’, Dies at 76

Steve Ellis, the singer whose voice led Love Affair through one of British pop’s best-known hits, has died aged 76. Tributes followed the news, with friends and music organisations remembering him as a distinctive performer whose work became part of the soundtrack of a generation. Ellis came to prominence as the frontman of the London group, which began releasing singles in 1967. Their version of “Everlasting Love” became a chart-topper and pushed The Beatles’ “Hello, Goodbye” from the top spot, according to the report. The band went on to find further success with songs including “A Day Without Love” and “Rainbow Valley”. Record producer David Courtney announced Ellis’s death in a tribute to his longtime friend. “I am sad to announce the passing of my long time friend Steve Ellis,” Courtney wrote, adding that his thoughts were with Ellis’s family. He also praised the singer’s voice and said he would not be forgotten. Heritage Chart Radio described Ellis as one of British music’s great voices and highlighted his contribution as Love Affair’s lead singer. The organisation noted that his song “Sunset” was currently listed on its chart, making the announcement especially poignant for those following his later work. Ellis’s musical career began in his teens. The article says he sang with a group called Soul Survivors before it adopted the name Love Affair. The band built a following in the late 1960s and became one of the decade’s successful British pop acts. He later joined Widowmaker, whose debut album appeared in 1976, and formed the short-lived band Ellis in 1972. That project brought him together with keyboardist Zoot Money, guitarist Andy Gee and bassist Jimmy Leverton. As fans and fellow musicians reflect on his career, the hit that first made him widely known remains closely associated with his name.