LONDON — Pete Burns, singer with the British band Dead or Alive that had success in the 1980s, has died after suffering a heart attack. He was 57.
The singer's management and family said in a statement posted on Twitter and Facebook that Burns died suddenly on Sunday.
He was best known for his 1985 dance hit You Spin Me Round and his appearances on reality TV shows including Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Wife Swap.
Burns became famous in the 1980s when Dead or Alive attracted wide attention with a string of successful singles. He also became famous for repeatedly undergoing cosmetic surgery.
Many others who had worked with Burns expressed sadness at the loss and admiration for his musical gifts.
Burns was born in northwestern England and started making changes to his appearance at an early age. He was known for extensive cosmetic surgery that radically altered his face.
Tearful about the passing of @PeteBurnsICON he was one of our great true eccentrics and such a big part of my life! Wow. Hard to believe!
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) October 24, 2016
He worked in a record shop as a teenager and formed several bands that were unable to score any breakthrough hits. That changed with the founding of Dead or Alive in 1985.
Burns was married to Lynne Corlett for more than 25 years until they divorced in 2006. Michael Simpson has been his partner since 2007.
His ex-wife, his partner and his manager,
"We have no more words, we will make a further statement when we have had a chance to come to terms with our devastating loss," the statement read. "He will live forever in our memories."
