Steve Bronski was a co-founder of the British synthpop band Bronski Beat known for their hit song “Smalltown Boy.”
- Died: His death was confirmed on the band’s social pages on December 9 but exact date of death was not given.
- Details of death: Died at the age of 61.
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Smalltown Boy
Steve Bronski was a keyboardist/percussionist who formed the synthpop band Bronski Beat in 1983 with singer Jimmy Sommerville and keyboardist/percussionist Larry Steinbachek. The three band members were openly gay and wrote songs that reflected the difficulties of coming out. Their debut single,”Smalltown Boy,” an anthem about a young gay man leaving his hometown, was a top ten hit in the UK and reached the top 50 in the U.S. They also had top ten hits in England with the singles “Why?” and a cover of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love.” The band’s debut album The Age of Consent was released in 1984 and made the UK top ten. Jimmy Sommerville left Bronski Beat in 1985 and the band continued on with singer John Foster, releasing the UK top ten single “Hit That Perfect Beat” in 1985. Steve Bronski continued the Bronski Beat with various lead singers, their last album was released in 2017.
Notable Quote
“At the time we were just three gay guys who started a band — we didn’t feel like part of any particular movement.” “Of course, it would transpire many years later that there were more gay artists than the public were led to believe.” – He told the Guardian in 2018
Tributes to Steve Bronski
Full Obituary: Billboard
