Naked Eyes Frontman Pete Byrne Dead At 74

Pete Byrne, the lead singer of the English new wave band Naked Eyes, has passed away at the age of 74. The information was shared on the band's website on September 14, following a brief illness. Naked Eyes gained fame in the 1980s for their hit single "Always Something There to Remind Me," a soulful rendition of a Burt Bacharach classic that reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The band went on to score additional top 40 hits in the United States with "Promises, Promises," "When The Lights Go Out," and "(What) In The Name Of Love." Byrne's powerful vocals and his musical partner Rob Fisher's futuristic keyboards formed a successful combination that resonated with audiences. Born in Islington, North London and raised in Bath, Byrne began his musical journey in the late 1970s, initially performing with Jeff Starrs and a band called Studio.

He later teamed up with Fisher in a new wave band called Neon, which also featured future Tears For Fears members Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith from 1979 to 1982. Following this, Byrne and Fisher established Naked Eyes and achieved rapid success with their debut single. The band released two albums for EMI, "Burning Bridges" in 1983 and "Fuel For The Fire" in 1984, before taking a hiatus due to other commitments.

Byrne continued his involvement in music, especially after Fisher's death from cancer in 1999. He released a solo album, "The Real Illusion," in 2001, featuring some compositions he had co-written with Fisher for a planned Naked Eyes reunion. In 2005, Byrne resumed his musical career under the name Naked Eyes, releasing two more albums, "Fumbling With The Covers" in 2007 and "Disguise The Limit" in 2021.

He frequently toured and collaborated with other 80s icons. Byrne leaves behind his siblings Eileen, Sandy, Carol, and Steve; his three children, Merlin, Dylan, and Chloe; and his ex-wife, Elena.