Steve Ellis, Love Affair Singer Behind Everlasting Love, Dies at 76

Steve Ellis, the English singer who fronted Love Affair, has died at the age of 76.

A statement on his official Facebook account said he died on the evening of October 30, 2026, after complications from a chronic illness, in the presence of his loved ones. The statement read: "It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of Steve's passing. 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."

Reports of his death emerged on Sunday, November 1. Clash Magazine confirmed the news through the official Facebook statement, and Beat Magazine reported the death the same day, quoting the same announcement. The statement closed with the words "Everlasting Love" and invited fans to leave their thoughts, memories and condolences for the family in the comments.

From Edgware to the Soul Survivors

Stephen John Ellis was born on April 7, 1950, in Edgware, Middlesex, England. He started his career fronting The Clifton Bystanders, then formed the Soul Survivors at the age of 15. He was still working part time at a local Co-op when music took over, according to That Eric Alper.

In 1966 the Soul Survivors became Love Affair. The lineup alongside Ellis was Rex Brayley, Mick Jackson, Lynton Guest and Maurice Bacon. Ellis brought a love of American soul and rhythm and blues into the group, and the band built a following in London mod and soul clubs before the hits arrived.

Everlasting Love and the chart run

Love Affair released "Everlasting Love" on December 8, 1967. The song had first been recorded by Robert Knight. In January 1968 the Love Affair single reached number 1 in the UK, knocking The Beatles off the top of the chart. Ellis was 17 years old.

The band followed it with two more UK hits in 1968. "Rainbow Valley" reached number 5 and "A Day Without Love" reached number 6, and the album The Everlasting Love Affair arrived in December 1968. Ellis became one of the best known young singers in Britain. Clash described Love Affair as arguably the last of the teen scream bands of the 1960s, with a blue eyed soul vocal from Ellis at the center of the record that made them.

Life after Love Affair

Ellis left Love Affair in December 1969. He sang on the soundtrack of the film Loot in 1970, then formed the band Ellis with keyboardist Zoot Money, which released two albums in 1972 and 1973. He later fronted the rock band Widowmaker, which released an album in 1976 and toured with Nazareth and on The Who's 1976 stadium tour. Paul Weller cited Ellis as a touchstone, according to Clash.

He kept recording and performing in later years, and he returned to regular stage work fronting Steve Ellis's Love Affair and on festival package tours. In 2018 he returned to the studio for a well received album, fifty years after "Everlasting Love" first topped the chart. For many listeners that one song never left the radio, and it remains the record his name is tied to.