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Naked Eyes Co-Founder Peter Byrne Dies at 74
Confirmed
In Short: Peter Byrne, the singer and co-founder of the 1980s synth-pop duo Naked Eyes, died peacefully in Los Angeles on Monday after a brief illness.
Peter Byrne, the singer and co-founder of the 1980s synth-pop duo Naked Eyes, died peacefully in Los Angeles on Monday after a brief illness, according to a press release provided to Billboard announcing his death.
Byrne was born in Islington, North London, in June 1952, and later co-founded Naked Eyes alongside Rob Fisher in 1982. The duo signed with EMI Records and released their debut album, 'Burning Bridges,' in the U.K. in 1983, which included the hit single 'Always Something There to Remind Me.
Naked Eyes scored four Top 40 hits on Billboard's Hot 100 within two years of their formation. The band's second album, 'Fuel For The Fire,' featured a modest hit 'In the Name of Love,' but did not match the success of their debut. Following Fisher's death, Byrne continued to make music, releasing solo albums and reviving Naked Eyes in 2006.
Byrne's career included a cover of the 1963 song 'Always Something There to Remind Me,' written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick. The Byrne-Fisher demo of the song convinced EMI Records to sign the duo that would become Naked Eyes.
In addition to his work with Naked Eyes, Byrne provided backing vocals on Stevie Wonder's 1985 hit 'Part-Time Lover' and continued to write and record music, releasing solo albums and albums under the Naked Eyes name. His final album, 'Disguise the Limit,' was released in 2021.
Byrne is survived by his three children, Merlin, Dylan, and Chloe, along with his siblings. Those wishing to pay their respects are encouraged to support Byrne’s music.
Before forming Naked Eyes, Byrne and Fisher were members of the band Neon, which also included future Tears for Fears members Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Byrne's musical journey began in Bath, England, where he performed in various projects from 1976 to 1979.
Naked Eyes toured the world in 2006 and continued to perform until their final concert in Las Vegas on June 6th, 2023.
What this adds
It remains Naked Eyes' lone top 10 hit on the Hot 100 chart.
A remaster of the original Naked Eyes self-titled album was released in 2025.
Background
Peter Byrne, the singer and co-founder of the 1980s synth-pop duo Naked Eyes, died peacefully in Los Angeles on Monday after a brief illness.
Peter Byrne, lead vocalist of the 1980s synth-pop duo Naked Eyes, died peacefully in Los Angeles on September 14.
What's confirmed
- Naked Eyes announced his death on its website.
- The pair were friends from college, and three years before Naked Eyes, they played together with Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal in a band called Neon.
- Peter Byrne, who co-founded Naked Eyes, died after a brief illness on Sept.
- Byrne was born in Islington, North London, in June 1952, and later co-founded Naked Eyes alongside Rob Fisher in 1982.
- Byrne and Fisher’s debut album, which was released in the U.K.
- In 1985, Byrne provided backing vocals on Stevie Wonder ’s 1985 hit “Part-Time Lover.” His career continued with songwriting for film and television.
- Byrne died peacefully in Los Angeles on Monday (Sept. 14) following a brief illness, according to a press release provided to Billboard announcing his death.
- Born in Islington, North London, Byrne began his musical career in Bath, England, where his early projects included a duo with Jeff Starrs from 1976 to 1977 and the band Studio from 1977 to 1979.
- In 1982, Byrne and Fisher formed Naked Eyes and signed with EMI Records.
- Peter Byrne, the singer and songwriter who co-founded synth-pop duo Naked Eyes and sang lead vocals on a string of enduring 1980s hits, has died.
- Peter Byrne, Naked Eyes Singer, Dies at 74 | DRGNews You are using an outdated browser.
- One of the most popular, if fleeting, British New Wave bands of MTV’s golden era, Naked Eyes was founded in 1982 by Byrne and keyboardist Rob Fisher, who had been college friends in their native Bath, England, and had performed together in a band called Neon from 1979 to 1982.
What's still developing
- The British singer-songwriter passed away peacefully after a brief illness.
- It remains Naked Eyes’ lone top 10 hit on the Hot 100 chart.
- In 2008 Byrne’s Naked Eyes took part in the U.S. “Regeneration” tour with Belinda Carlisle, ABC and the Human League, and in 2024 joined a similarly ’80s themed tour of the U.S. and Canada with Wang Chung, Men Without Hats and The Motels.