Steven William Forrest (7 February 1960 – 7 December 2021) was a Scottish singer-songwriter, best known for his time as a member of synth-pop band Bronski Beat, with Jimmy Somerville and Larry Steinbachek.[2][3]
Steve Bronski | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Steven William Forrest |
| Born | 7 February 1960[1] |
| Died | 7 December 2021 (aged 61) Soho, London, England |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboards, synthesizers, programming, piano, percussion, guitar, accordion, vocals |
| Formerly of | Bronski Beat |
Career
He was a co-founder and keyboard player of the group Bronski Beat, known for the singles "Smalltown Boy" and "Why?".[4] He was also an LGBTQ activist and was openly gay from an early age.[5]
Raised in Castlemilk, Glasgow, Bronski worked in his youth as a labourer. He lived in a flat in Brixton, London, during the early formative period of Bronski Beat with his fellow musicians. Later on he squatted with partner and bandmate Larry Steinbachek in Camberwell, London.[6] Following the break up of the band he lived in Thailand for many years, as well as Paris, France, before returning to the United Kingdom.[7]
Personal life and death
Bronski had a stroke in 2018 which limited his mobility. He died at the age of 61, from smoke inhalation in a fire at his home in Soho, London, on 7 December 2021.[8][9]