Steven William Forrest (7 February 1960 – 7 December 2021) was a Scottish singer-songwriter, best known for his time as a member of synth-pop band Bronski Beat, with Jimmy Somerville and Larry Steinbachek.[2][3]
Steve Bronski | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Steven William Forrest |
| Born | 7 February 1960[1] Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 7 December 2021 (aged 61) Soho, London, England |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboards, synthesizers, programming, piano, percussion, guitar, accordion, vocals |
| Formerly of | Bronski Beat |
Career
editHe was a co-founder and keyboard player of the group Bronski Beat, known for the singles "Smalltown Boy" and "Why?".[4] He was also an LGBTQ activist and was openly gay from an early age.[5]
Bronski, whose real name was Steven Forrest, was born and raised in Castlemilk, Glasgow,[6][7] where he worked in his youth as a labourer.[8] He lived in a flat in Brixton, London, during the early formative period of Bronski Beat with his fellow musicians. Later on he squatted with partner and bandmate Larry Steinbachek in Camberwell, London.[9] Following the break up of the band he lived in Thailand for many years, as well as Paris, France, before returning to the United Kingdom.[10]
Personal life and death
editBronski had a stroke in 2018 which limited his mobility.[8] He died at the age of 61, from smoke inhalation in a fire at his home in Soho, London, on 7 December 2021, exactly 5 years to the day after Steinbachek.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ "Bronski Beat". Official Charts. 2 June 1984.
- ^ Snapes, Laura (9 December 2021). "Steve Bronski: co-founder of Bronski Beat dies aged 61". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Steve Bronski Dies: Cofounder Of Gay Pop Pioneers Bronski Beat Was 61". Yahoo! Entertainment. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
- ^ "Bronski Beat founder Steve Bronski dies at 61". BBC News. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Bronski Beat founder Steve Bronski Dead at 61". Advocate.com. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ Genzlinger, Neil (25 December 2021). "Steve Bronski, of the Pioneering Gay Band Bronski Beat, Dies at 61". The New York Times. p. B-11. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "Steve Bronski from The Gazetteer for Scotland". The Gazetteer for Scotland.
- ^ a b Curtin, April (14 December 2021). "Bronski Beat co-founder's carer claims musician died in Soho flat fire". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
- ^ "The beginning of Bronski Beat". jimmysomerville.de.
- ^ "The Godfathers of Pop: Steve Bronski interview". Classicpopmag.com. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Steve Bronski: co-founder of Bronski Beat dies aged 61". The Guardian. 9 December 2021.
- ^ Weaver, Matthew (13 December 2021). "Steve Bronski carer says musician died in Soho flat fire". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
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