Steve Bronski
Scottish singer-songwriter (1960–2021)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
- Singer
- songwriter
- Keyboards
- synthesizers
- piano
- percussion
- guitar
- accordion
- vocals
Steve Bronski | |
|---|---|
| Born | Steven William Forrest 7 February 1960[1] Glasgow, Scotland |
| Died | 7 December 2021 (aged 61) Soho, London, England |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Formerly of | Bronski Beat |
Career
He 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, before returning to the United Kingdom.[10]
Personal life and death
Bronski 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, 5 years to the day after Steinbachek.[11][12]
