07/12/2018
Pete Shelley the bisexual lead singer of the Buzzcocks, has passed away at the age of sixty three. Initial reports suggest that he suffered a heart attack. The Buzzcocks were a pioneering punk rock group of the late seventies, who developed a more melodic sound than many of their contemporaries. Indeed, in many respects they are the direct forebears of today's vibrant and mostly queer friendly pop-punk scene in the US and UK. They are also artistically important, as the self released single “Spiral Scratch” in the long hot summer of 1976, is often said to have kick started a new wave of independent record labels, without which the punk, indie and britpop scenes would never have occurred. Pete Shelley came out as bi in 1981, releasing a solo electronic single called “Homosapien” which is considered a club and gay classic. In addition, the 1977 breakthrough hit “Ever Fallen in Love with Someone You Shouldn't Have Fallen in Love With” is also considered by many LGBT people to be a song about unrequited gay love. BBC Radio 6-Music, available on digital platforms nationwide, has said that it will pay tribute to Mr Shelley throughout its programming this weekend.
