UK singer and Buzzcocks frontman, Pete Shelley, has passed away at the age of 63.
According to BBC, the revered Leigh-born songwriter died from a suspected heart attack on Thursday in Estonia where he had been living.
Buzzcocks addressed Shelley's passing in a statement posted to Facebook this morning.
"It's with great sadness that we confirm the death of Pete Shelley, one of the UK's most influential and prolific songwriters and co-founder of the seminal original punk band Buzzcocks," the post reads.
"Pete's music has inspired generations of musicians over a career that spanned five decades and with his band and as a solo artist, he was held in the highest regard by the music industry and by his fans around the world."
As well as delivering nine studio albums with Buzzcocks, Shelley produced six solo albums, the latest being 2016's Cinema Music & Wallpaper Sounds. It was also that year that Shelley and Buzzcocks embarked on their last tour of Australia.
Shelley released a number of solo hits, including his 1981 debut single, Homosapien, which was particularly popular in Australia. The track peaked at #4 in the local music charts following its release.
Shelley was also behind Buzzcocks' 1978 single, Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've), which was covered by fellow UK outfit, Fine Young Cannibals.
The cover proved to be a global hit, hitting music charts in the UK, Australia, Germany, New Zealand and Ireland to name a few.
A number of notable names have paid tribute following the announcement of Shelley's passing.
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