Singer from beloved ’80s New Wave band dead at 74
Peter Byrne, one-half of the ’80s New Wave and synth-pop hitmaking duo Naked Eyes, has died at the age of 74.
According to a statement on the group’s official website, the singer “died peacefully in Los Angeles on Monday” after “a brief illness.” A cause of death remains unclear.
Alongside the late Rob Fisher, Byrne rose to fame with hits including 1984’s “Promises, Promises,” and 1983’s “Always Something There to Remind Me.”
Other Top 40 hits across their two studio albums included “When the Lights Go Out” and “(What) In the Name of Love.”
Fisher — who died back in 1999 at the age of 42 — and Byrne founded their beloved band back in 1982.
Across social media, fans mourned the singer’s death, with one person writing on X, “I hope Pete had some great final chapters to his life! Naked Eyes still tracks in several of my playlists today.”
Another confessed, “This one hurts 😢” while a third chimed in, “The sheer amount of strong British vocalists fronting bands in the early-mid ’80s was quite impressive.”
Yet another wrote, “A legend indeed. RIP.”
Byrne was born in Islington, North London, according to the band’s site. Following the release of Naked Eyes’ second album in 1984, he left the band. Two years after Fisher’s death, Byrne released a solo album titled “The Real Illusion.”
In 2007, the singer released an album of cover versions and Naked Eyes hits titled “Fumbling With the Covers.”
Byrne released “Disguise the Limit,” his final studio album, back in 2021, and a remaster of Naked Eyes’ eponymous 1983 album dropped in 2025.
According to Rolling Stone, after the duo disbanded after the release of their sophomore album, “Fuel For the Fire,” Byrne contributed vocals to “Part-Time Lover” by Stevie Wonder in 1985.
Per the outlet, he’s also known for songwriting work for the Olsen twins and for television and film.
Byrne is survived by his three children, Merlin, Dylan, and Chloe, siblings Eileen, Sandy, Carol, and Steve, and ex-wife, Elana.
A private service will be held for family members, but the statement encouraged fans to “please support his music” as a way of paying their respects.