Brotherhood of Man star Martin Lee, who won the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK in 1976, has died aged 77.
The band were first formed in 1969 and Martin joined them three years later, singing lead vocals on their hit Save Your Kisses For Me.
The band announced the news of Martin’s death with a post on Facebook on Tuesday.
It read: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our great friend and colleague Brotherhood of Man’s Martin Lee who slipped peacefully away on the evening of Sunday 29th September 2024 from heart failure after a short illness. Martin was 77.
‘Martin sang lead vocals on the 1976 Eurovision Winner ‘Save your kisses for me’ which was number 1 in 31 countries and the guinness book biggest selling eurovision single of all time plus the biggest winner by percentage of vote.
Brotherhood of Man star Martin Lee, who won the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK in 1976, has died aged 77(pictured in 2019)
The band were first formed in 1969 and Martin (far right) joined them three years later, singing lead vocals on their hit Save Your Kisses For Me
The band announced the news of Martin’s death with a post on Facebook on Tuesday
‘He was not only a wonderful singer but also co-wrote with band mate Lee Sheriden most of the Brotherhood of Man hits including the 3 number one records.
‘Other awards include 26 Platinum, Gold & Silver Discs, 3 Ivor Novello awards and an ASCAP Shield for writing a top 10 hit in the United States.’
They added: ‘He will be sadly missed by his fellow band members Nicky Stevens, Lee Sheriden and especially Sandra Stevens to whom he had been married for 45 happy years.
‘Over the past 50 years the four of us have toured the world together in harmony and have so many happy memories but now we are in total shock and cannot imagine a world without Martin Lee. R.I.P.’
Their Eurovision hit topped the table with a staggering 164 points, which was more than 70 points ahead of the second-place act, Switzerland.
Lee was married to fellow band member Sandra Stevens, who he began dating shortly after she joined the group in 1973.
As well as singing and playing guitar, he also co-wrote a number of the band’s songs alongside Lee Sheriden.
The singer was born as Martin Barnes on November 26, 1946, in Purley, London and spent five of his younger years living in Australia.
The band’s statement read: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our great friend and colleague Brotherhood of Man’s Martin Lee who slipped peacefully away on the evening of Sunday 29th September 2024.’
They added: ‘He will be sadly missed by his fellow band members Nicky Stevens, Lee Sheriden and especially Sandra Stevens to whom he had been married for 45 happy years’
The group split up in the 1980s for a few years, but reunited for a TV show in 1985 and have stayed in touch ever since
The band said they are ‘in total shock’ following Martin’s death
They have reunited a few times since their peak period of success and continued performing together, but officially retired from touring in 2022
Before the Eurovision competition, which took place in The Hague, Brotherhood Of Man initially found success with their single United We Stand, which was also the name of their debut album.
It became a top 20 hit in the UK, Canada, Australia and the US.
They released some more successful singles, including Oh Boy (The Mood I’m In) and Angelo, as well as a second album called B for Brotherhood.
The group split up in the 1980s for a few years, but reunited for a TV show in 1985 and have stayed in touch ever since.
They have reunited a few times since their peak period of success and continued performing together, but officially retired from touring in 2022.
Tributes have been pouring in for the singer, with fans sharing their condolences on X, writing:
‘Very sad to hear of the passing of Martin Lee of Brotherhood of Man. Save all Your Kisses for Me was a rare UK Eurovision winner and a milestone in my childhood. Remember seeing him and his wife in my local Waitrose once. #MartinLee #BrotherhoodofMan.’
As well as singing and playing guitar, he also co-wrote a number of the band’s songs alongside Lee Sheriden
Tributes have been pouring in for the singer, with fans sharing their condolences on X
‘Sad news. Loved these when I was little. RIP Martin Lee.’
‘RIP Martin. They were much more than one hit!’
‘Awful to read that Martin Lee, lead singer of Brotherhood of Man, has died. Winning Eurovision in 1976 with his cheeky winks and smile, he will be missed. A UK cultural icon. #rip.’
‘The world is a little bit less talented now. RIP Martin Lee from Brotherhood of Man.’
Others took to the comments of the band’s Facebook post to add: ‘Oh no, such sad news….very upset to see this.’
‘Much love to Sandra and condolences to the brotherhood, lucky to see them playing a few gigs. Always fun. The music will be his lasting memory.’
‘So sorry to hear this news. I have Brotherhood of man songs on vinyl.. May he rest in peace. Sympathy to his family and the band.’