Brotherhood of Man singer Martin Lee dies aged 77

Singer and songwriter Martin Lee, a member of pop group Brotherhood of Man, has died aged 77.

An announcement launched by the PA Information Company and posted on the band’s Fb web page mentioned Lee died on Sunday from coronary heart failure following a brief sickness.

Brotherhood of Man have been greatest identified for profitable the 1976 Eurovision Tune Contest with Save Your Kisses for Me.

The music reached primary in additional than 30 international locations and have become one of many best-selling Eurovision singles within the contest’s historical past.

“He will likely be sadly missed by his fellow band members Nicky Stevens, Lee Sheriden and particularly Sandra Stevens to whom he had been married for 45 completely happy years,” the assertion mentioned.

Lee joined Brotherhood of Man in 1972 and served as lead vocalist and guitarist.

Save Your Kisses For Me received the Eurovision Tune Contest 4 years later within the Netherlands.

The music topped the desk with 164 factors, 17 factors forward of second-placed France.

Tony Hiller, the group’s supervisor, put the music’s success all the way down to their TV appearances throughout France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland the yr earlier than the competition – and the one bought six million copies.

The group’s hits included United We Stand, Oh Boy, and Kiss Me Kiss Your Child.

Lee co-wrote lots of the group’s songs with Sheriden, together with Angelo and Figaro, which each reached primary within the UK.

After profitable Eurovision, they continued to tour all over the world, however they retired from performing in 2020.

“We now have so many completely happy reminiscences however now we’re in complete shock and can’t think about a world with out Martin Lee,” the group mentioned.

Previous to becoming a member of Brotherhood Of Man, Lee had already launched a solo single referred to as Cry Jose, and had additionally performed within the Johnny Howard Band.

Lee was born Martin Barnes, on November 26, 1946, in Purley, London, however had spent 5 years of his youth dwelling in Australia.