Pete Byrne, the singer and songwriter best known as one half of the British synth-pop duo Naked Eyes, has died at age 74. His family announced that Byrne died peacefully in Los Angeles on September 14 following a brief illness.
The announcement closes a career closely tied to the sound of early 1980s pop. Byrne formed Naked Eyes with keyboardist Rob Fisher in 1982, and the duo quickly found success with songs including Always Something There to Remind Me, Promises, Promises and When the Lights Go Out.
Always Something There to Remind Me became the group’s biggest U.S. hit, reaching No. 8. Their debut album also reached the American Top 40.
Before Naked Eyes, Byrne and Fisher worked together in the band Neon. Byrne later contributed backing vocals to Stevie Wonder’s Part-Time Lover and continued recording and performing after Fisher’s death in 1999.
Byrne kept the Naked Eyes name active through later releases and touring. He is survived by his siblings, three children, and former wife. A private family service is planned.
