Steve Bronski, founder of Bronski Beat, dies aged 61

Steve Bronksi, the keyboardist who founded 1980s synthpop group Bronksi Beat, has died at the age of 61, a former bandmate has said.

Jimmy Somerville, who formed the band with Bronksi and Larry Steinbachek in 1983, shared the tribute on Twitter and said: “Sad to hear Steve Bronski has died. He was a talented and a very melodic man.

“Working with him on songs and the one song that changed our lives and touched so many other lives, was a fun and exciting time. Thanks for the melody Steve.”

Sad to hear Steve Bronski has died. He was a talented and a very melodic man. Working with him on songs and the one song that changed our lives and touched so many other lives, was a fun and exciting time. Thanks for the melody Steve. Jimmy x pic.twitter.com/VfxbtZu1Nx

The musical trio – who released hits including Smalltown Boy and Why? – were known for campaigning on gay rights issues, with their debut album, The Age of Consent, featuring the consent age of men in countries around world on its inner sleeve as a protest.

Somerville eventually left to form pop group The Communards with Reverend Richard Coles.

He was replaced by John Foster and later Jonathan Hellyer.

Steinbachek died from cancer at the age of 56 in late 2016.

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