Love Affair lead singer Steve Ellis dies aged 76

Steve Ellis, the lead singer of the 1960s pop group Love Affair, has died at the age of 76. The Guardian and the Daily Mail both reported that his death occurred on 30 October 2026. A statement posted on the singer's Facebook page explained that he passed away peacefully in the presence of loved ones following complications from a chronic illness. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Ellis found fame as the frontman for London-based group Love Affair, who reached number one on the UK singles chart in 1968 with Everlasting Love. According to the Daily Mail, the single knocked Hello Goodbye by The Beatles off the top spot. The Guardian noted that Ellis went on to score three more top 10 hits with the group before embarking on a solo career that included collaborations with Paul Weller. [1][2][8][10][12]

The singer was born Stephen John Ellis in Edgware, north-west London, in 1950. The Guardian reported that he formed his first band, Soul Survivors, when he was 15 years old. [1][8]

Everlasting Love was originally written by Buzz Cason and Mac Gayden and recorded by Robert Knight in 1967. The rendition by Love Affair spent two weeks at number one in the United Kingdom, becoming the most successful UK version of the track and the band's signature hit. [9][10][12]