The music world has been paying tribute to “huge talent” Pete Shelley, the Buzzcocks frontman who has died aged 63.
Shelley co-founded the band and penned the 1978 punk classic Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve).
“It’s with great sadness that we confirm the death of Pete Shelley, one of the UK’s most influential and prolific songwriters and co-founder of the seminal original punk band Buzzcocks,” the band wrote on Facebook.
“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.”
Shelley is reported to have suffered a heart attack at his home in Estonia.
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea tweeted that the band’s Why Can’t I Touch It is “one of my favourite rock songs ever. Absolutely stunning. God bless Pete Shelley”.
One of my favorite rock songs ever. Absolutely stunning. God bless Pete Shelley. https://t.co/its0cZvjj8
— Flea (@flea333) December 7, 2018
Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament said that he was “Hollow Inside”.
“Playing shows with the Buzzcocks was one of the highlights of my life,” he said on Twitter.
“I listened to Singles and Tension as much as any records I’ve owned. Thank you, Pete, for all the great words and music. ”
Pete Shelley RIPPlaying shows with the @Buzzcocks was one of the highlights of my life. I listened to Singles and Tension as much as any records I’ve owned. Thank you, Pete, for all the great words and music. Condolences to Steve and the boys.Hollow Inside,JA pic.twitter.com/FKu23xzBTQ
— Pearl Jam (@PearlJam) December 7, 2018
The Pixies also paid tribute while Jonathan Ross said a Buzzcocks’ gig was “one of the best nights of my life”.
RIP Pete Shelley pic.twitter.com/l634wdn1gH
— PIXIES (@PIXIES) December 7, 2018
I’ve seen a lot of great bands live. But the Buzzcocks at the Marquee in 1977 was one of the best nights of my life. RIP Pete Shelley. You were amazing.
— Jonathan Ross (@wossy) December 7, 2018
Norman Blake, frontman of Teenage Fanclub, said: “I love(d) Buzzcocks. (Shelley’s) songs were important to me when I was a young man and they still are to me now. Thank you Pete and R.I.P. You will be missed.”
not been on here for a while, but I can't not mark the passing of Pete Shelley. I love(d) Buzzcocks. His songs were important to me when I was a young man and they still are to me now. Thank you Pete and R.I.P. You will be missed.
— Norman Blake (@normanblake) December 6, 2018
Tim Burgess, lead singer of The Charlatans, said Shelley would be remembered “for a long, long time” for his “brilliant” work.
He tweeted: “Pete Shelley wrote perfect three minute pop songs. The soundtrack to being a teenager. You’ll be missed Pete but you’ll be remembered for a long long time for your brilliant music.”
Pete Shelley wrote perfect three minute pop songs. The soundtrack to being a teenager. You’ll be missed Pete but you’ll be remembered for a long long time for your brilliant music https://t.co/bt03fGbcgd
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) December 6, 2018
Tracey Thorn, formerly one half of dance music duo Everything But The Girl, also paid her respects, quoting from Buzzcocks track 16 Again.
She tweeted: “Oh God but I loved Buzzcocks. And Pete Shelley was an amazing songwriter. ‘But after all life’s only death’s recompense.’”
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
Author Neil Gaiman said that part of his youth had died along with Shelley.
Part of my youth dies with him. https://t.co/gKpkmScCvc RIP Pete Shelley https://t.co/TsB6QLk2JI
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) December 6, 2018
Hot Fuzz director Edgar Wright said Shelley was a “huge talent”.
This compilation of Buzzcocks singles is one of my favourite albums. It's 48 minutes of pure punk bliss. You couldn't ask for a finer run of 45's. Please give it a spin right now and remember the huge talent in music that was singer and writer Pete Shelley. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/nxkyxxJZ9s
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) December 7, 2018
Shelley was born in Leigh and formed Buzzcocks in Bolton in 1975 with Howard Devoto.