Love Affair frontman and Everlasting Love singer Steve Ellis dies aged 76

Love Affair frontman Steve Ellis, best known for singing the band’s cover of Everlasting Love, has died aged 76.

The British musician was the lead vocalist of the pop and progressive rock group which formed in 1966 and had the number one UK single Everlasting Love the following year.

In a statement shared on the singer’s official Facebook account, it was announced that Ellis died following complications from a chronic illness.

Musician Paul Weller – best known as the guitarist and principal singer and songwriter of the rock band The Jam – paid tribute to Ellis.

In a post shared on Facebook, he wrote: “Our dear mate Stevie Ellis passed on last week. God bless ya Stevie safe travels everlasting love for sure.”

FJCF5N LOVE AFFAIR UK pop group in 1968 with . Photo Tony Gale (Alamy/PA)

The announcement of Ellis’ death said: “Dear friends, 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.

“Please feel free to leave your thoughts, memories or condolences for the family in the comments below. Everlasting Love.”

Blues musician Norman Beaker also paid tribute, writing on social media: “Very sad to have learned that Steve Ellis singer with Love Affair on hits like Everlasting Love and many others has passed away.

“He was a good friend and a great voice. I recently performed a track on his new album, one of my songs, She Heals My Soul.

“He was a legend with the mod movement, a great character, he will be sadly missed.”

BCM Entertainments Ltd, a Kent-based festival company, said that Ellis “always brought something special to our events”.

In a statement shared on Facebook, it wrote: “Steve was a familiar and much-loved face at many BCM Festivals events over the years, where he entertained our audiences with his incredible voice, timeless songs and wonderful performances.

“His unforgettable music provided the soundtrack to so many memories and his performances always brought something special to our events.

“On behalf of everyone at BCM Festivals, we would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Steve’s family, friends, fellow musicians and all those who had the pleasure of knowing and working with him. Thank you for the music, the memories and the wonderful moments you shared with us. Rest in peace, Steve. You will be sadly missed.”

(Alamy/PA)

Ellis formed his first band Soul Survivors when he was 15. It then formed into Love Affair, whose line-up also included Rex Brayley, Mick Jackson, Lynton Guest and Maurice Bacon.

In early 1967, the band released their first two singles – including Everlasting Love, which had originally been recorded by Robert Knight and saw the band hit number one on the UK singles chart.

It has since gone on to feature in films including Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast, sung in the film by actor Jamie Dornan.

Other notable Love Affair songs included A Day Without Love, Rainbow Valley and Bringing On Back The Good Times.

Ellis then left the band in 1969 to pursue a solo career but was also part of other bands including Widowmaker and Ellis.