Love Affair Singer Steve Ellis Dies at 76 After Chronic Illness Love Affair lead singer Steve Ellis has died aged 76 following complications from a chronic illness. Tributes pour in for the singer who recorded the 1967 hit Everlasting Love. Steve Ellis, the renowned lead singer of the British pop group Love Affair, has passed away at the age of 76. The news was officially confirmed through a statement posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, announcing that he died on the evening of October 30, 2026. His death followed complications from a chronic illness, bringing a somber close to a life that left a significant mark on the UK music scene during the late 1960s. The Hit Song Everlasting LoveEllis was just 17 years old when he recorded his most famous track, the ballad Everlasting Love. Released in 1967, the song became a massive chart topper, famously knocking The Beatles' hit Hello Goodbye from the number one spot in the UK charts. This breakthrough success defined the early career of Love Affair, a London-based pop group that formed in the late 1960s. The band's lineup during this period included drummer Maurice Bacon, bassist Mick Jackson, keyboardist Lynton Guest, and guitar player Rex Brayley, with Ellis serving as the charismatic frontman.Following the monumental success of Everlasting Love, the group maintained its momentum in the charts. Over the next two years, they produced four additional top 20 hits. These tracks included Rainbow Valley, A Day Without Love, One Road, and Bringing on Back the Good Times. These releases cemented the band's status as a prominent act in the British pop landscape, although the intense pressure of maintaining such a high profile would eventually lead to internal changes.Band Evolution and Solo CareerDespite their commercial success, the group eventually grew frustrated with being strictly labeled as a pop band. In an effort to expand their musical boundaries, they experimented with a new sound. However, this artistic shift did not resonate with the wider audience, and the new material failed to perform well in the charts. Feeling that the band had run its course, Ellis decided to quit in December 1969 to pursue a solo career. His departure marked the end of the original era for Love Affair.Ellis was born in Edgware and had already begun his musical journey as a teenager. At the age of 15, he played in his first band, The Clifton Bystanders. He later formed the Soul Survivors, a group whose name was eventually changed to Love Affair before their rise to fame. After leaving the original lineup of Love Affair, Ellis continued to be active in the industry. He achieved some chart success with his band Ellis and later with the rock band Widowmaker, which released their debut studio album in 1976.Tributes from Music ColleaguesThe music community has responded with an outpouring of grief and admiration for the late singer. Blues guitarist and close friend Norman Beaker shared a detailed tribute on Facebook, praising Ellis as a legend of the UK's mod movement. Beaker highlighted Ellis's personal qualities, noting that he was a great friend and possessed a great voice. He also mentioned performing a track on Ellis's new album, specifically a song titled She heals my soul, demonstrating their ongoing creative collaboration.Record producer David Courtney also posted a heartfelt message announcing the passing of his long-time friend. Courtney expressed his sadness and directed his thoughts and condolences to Ellis's partner Val and the rest of the family. The statement from the singer's Facebook page echoed these sentiments, asking fans to share their thoughts, memories, and condolences in the comments. The message concluded with the phrase Everlasting Love, a fitting tribute to both the artist and his most iconic song, as he peacefully left the world in the presence of his loved ones.