Steve Ellis, Love Affair Singer, Dies at 76

Steve Ellis, the singer of British pop-rock band Love Affair, has died at 76.

Ellis died following “complications from a chronic illness,” according to a statement on his official Facebook page.

“It’s with a heavy heart that we share the news of Steve’s passing,” the post read. “After complications from a chronic illness, Steve peacefully left the world on the evening of October 30, 2026, in the presence of his loved ones.”

A specific cause of death was not disclosed.

Songwriter and longtime friend David Courtney also confirmed Ellis’ death in a Facebook tribute. “I am sad to announce the passing of my long time friend Steve Ellis sho left us yesterday,” Courtney wrote. “My thoughts are with Val and the family.”

Ellis rose to fame as Love Affair’s frontman in the late 1960s. The group’s biggest hit was a cover of “Everlasting Love,” released in December 1967. It topped the U.K. singles chart for two weeks in 1968, according to the Official Charts Company.

Buzz Cason and Mac Gayden wrote “Everlasting Love,” which singer Robert Knight originally recorded and released in 1967. Knight’s version reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, while Love Affair’s recording did not chart in the United States.

Love Affair’s other U.K. top 10 singles included “Rainbow Valley” at No. 5, “A Day Without Love” at No. 6 and “Bring on Back the Good Times” at No. 9.

Ellis began his professional music career at 15, joining the North London band Soul Survivors in 1966. The group changed its name to Love Affair in 1967, according to his website.

He left Love Affair in 1969 and formed the band Ellis in 1972 with keyboardist Zoot Money and other musicians. The group released two albums, Riding on the Crest of a Slump (1972) and Why Not? (1973). Ellis later joined rock band Widowmaker, which released its self-titled debut album in the mid-1970s.

After leaving Widowmaker, Ellis stepped away from the music industry and worked at the docks in England. A forklift accident severely injured his feet in 1981, beginning a lengthy period of surgeries and recovery. According to his website, he recalled being “in and out of hospital to mend [his] mashed feet.”

Love Affair reunited under Ellis in 1991. He led his own touring group, Steve Ellis’ Love Affair, through 1998 and continued to record solo material. His 2008 album Best of Days featured contributions from Roger Daltrey and Paul Weller.

Source: Billboard