Kevin Bronson on December 6th, 2018

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* Updated at 4:15 p.m. with comments from Nathanael Keefer.

Pete Shelley, lead singer of first-wave punk rockers Buzzcocks, has died of a heart attack at age 63.

In a statement posted to social media, the band said:

It’s with great sadness that we confirm the death of Pete Shelley, one of the U.K.’s most influential and prolific songwriters and co-founder of the seminal original punk band Buzzcocks. 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.

The BBC, following up on an initial announcement by Shelley’s brother Gary McNeish, reported that Shelley, born Peter Campbell McNeish, had been living in Estonia.

Among the many tributes starting to pour in on social media, Tim Burgess of Charlatans UK had this to say: “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.”

Shelley was fondly remembered by drummer Nathanael Keefer of the L.A. pop-punk band The Adored, who toured supporting Buzzcocks in the U.K. and U.S. Shelley guested on the band’s EP and debut album as well. “He was just a sweet guy,” Keefer said. “When The Adored was lucky enough to tour U.K. with Buzzcocks, I noticed that Pete would watch all of the supporting bands every night. He would be out in the audience, too, not hanging out back stage (or) from the side.

“I count myself very lucky to have known him. One of those people that you idolize who actually lived up to your expectations.”

Wrote Duran Duran: “We are very very sad to hear of his death. He was a brave iconoclast who wrote songs that could rage and yet be joyful, that could be both positive and cynical, all in a two minute blast of energy that was built to blow your face off. His two-note solo on “Boredom” was like the Duchamp toilet, nothing was the same afterwards. He was a true legend.”

From author Jason Heller: “Pete Shelley subverted punk, subverted pop, subverted sexuality, subverted masculinity. He did so with the most immaculate melodies ever hammered through an overdriven amp. He was the first person to make punk rock for everyone. He was and always will be my hero.”

Buzzcocks, which formed in 1976 (their first gig was opening for the Sex Pistols), recently announced that remastered versions of their 1978 albums “Another Music In A Different Kitchen” and “Love Bites,” would be reissued in January via Domino Records.

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