British singer Pete Burns of Dead or Alive dies of cardiac arrest

by Craig Takeuchi on October 25th, 2016 at 7:30 PM

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English singer-songwriter Pete Burns died of a cardiac arrest on October 23. He was 57 years old.

Burns was best known internationally as the genderblending, androgynous lead singer of the British dance-music band Dead or Alive.

The group scored several hit singles in the 1980s, including 1984's "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" and 1986's "Brand New Lover".

He also appeared on the U.K.'s reality TV series Celebrity Big Brother in 2006.

A statement released by his husband Michael Simpson, his ex-wife Lynne Corlett, and his manager and former band member Steve Coy stated: "“All of his family and friends are devastated by the loss of our special star. He was a true visionary, a beautiful talented soul and will be missed by all those who loved and appreciated everything he was and all of the wonderful memories he has left us with.”