Pete Shelley, co-founder and lead singer of groundbreaking UK punk band Buzzcocks, sadly passed away at the age of 63, and the music world (and beyond) have taken to social media to pay tribute. Read tributes from Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, Pete Wylie of Wah!, Geoff Rickly of Thursday, Glen Matlock of The Sex Pistols, Tracey Thorn, Neil Gaiman, Stiff Little Fingers, Superchunk, Mike Mills of R.E.M., Trevor de Brauw, Membranes, Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, Tanya Donnelly, Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian, Hutch Harris of The Thermals, Captain Sensible of The Damned, Ron Sexsmith, Matthew Caws of Nada Surf, Ted Leo, Carl Newman of The New Pornographers, Ryley Walker, Junior Boys, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Norman Brannon of Texas is the Reason, Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub, The Pastels, The Stranglers, Greg Dulli (Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers), Duran Duran, Slaughter and the Dogs, Green Day, Pearl Jam, Billy Corgan, Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh, and more, below.
Pete Shelley wrote perfect three minute pop songs. The soundtrack to being a teenager. You’ll be missed Pete but you’ll be remembered for a long long time for your brilliant music https://t.co/bt03fGbcgd
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) December 6, 2018
Farewell Pete Shelley.
The first album I ever owned was Love Bites By Buzzcocks. This is my favourite song by them https://t.co/5PSjuQpPM9— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) December 6, 2018
Very sorry to hear the news about Pete Shelley. Buzzcocks were true innovators and a wonder: they took me to Manchester and were a major part of why I moved there. Here's one of my favourite pictures of him, taken by Linder Sterling in 1976: Punk as fuck pic.twitter.com/hJ1EImCGoU
— Jon Savage (@JonSavage1966) December 6, 2018
Hearing sad news about Pete Shelley…He should be remembered forever for the guitar solo in ‘Boredom’ alone. How utterly sad. And that Starway guitar was the punkrockest thing ever! Night night pretty Pete.#Buzzcocks #PeteShelley #Boredom pic.twitter.com/kidXO6Tpsr
— Pete Wylie is WAH!🌟 (@petewylie) December 6, 2018
Pete Shelley was without a doubt one of the best songwriters that ever came out of any scene. He was also an incredibly kind and generous man. I feel lucky to have known him, to have shared a stage with him, and to have learned a thing or two from him.
❤️ RIP, legend. ❤️
— Geoffrey Rickly (@GeoffRickly) December 6, 2018
We got to know them on Warped Tour, where most of the kids didn’t even understand the legends they were seeing when the Buzzcocks stepped on stage. But rather than complain about the kids or the tour itself, Pete would laugh and tell Diggle that it was because of his shirt.
— Geoffrey Rickly (@GeoffRickly) December 6, 2018
And, over the course of the summer, he’d both take time to come sing on the stage with us and invite me up to sing “Ever Fallen in Love” with him. And when I screwed up the entrance to the third verse, he laughed and teased me afterwards in a way that made me feel included.
— Geoffrey Rickly (@GeoffRickly) December 6, 2018
Like I was “one of the gang”
— Geoffrey Rickly (@GeoffRickly) December 6, 2018
Without the Buzzcocks, would Joy Division have ever been noticed? Without Pete Shelley’s songs, would we have ever had Green Day or Jawbreaker? Would emo exist? It’s hard to imagine a world without them.
— Geoffrey Rickly (@GeoffRickly) December 6, 2018
I am totally shocked and saddened to just hear of the untimely death of Pete Shelley.
A superb songwriter, artist and a totally sweet hearted guy who was one of the very few originals of punk and even a one off within that.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/vqYRtYyf1C— Glen Matlock (@GlenMatlock) December 6, 2018
Pete Shelley – a true gent!
He helped us so much at the start of our career out of a sheer love for all things punk. Without Pete & the Buzzcocks I would probably still be working at the Docks. RIP mate. X
— Peter Hook (@peterhook) December 6, 2018
Saw Pete Shelley with the Buzzcocks in August ‘76 supporting the Clash and the Pistols. First punk band I ever heard/saw and that night they helped to change my life. Pete was one of Britain’s best pure pop writers, up there with Ray Davies. To young to go. So very sad. pic.twitter.com/5HfzUvM5X4
— Gary Kemp (@garyjkemp) December 6, 2018
Oh God but I loved Buzzcocks. And Pete Shelley was an amazing songwriter. "But after all life's only death's recompense." RIP ♥️♥️ pic.twitter.com/vAAg7Jui52
— Tracey Thorn (@tracey_thorn) December 6, 2018
Part of my youth dies with him. https://t.co/gKpkmScCvc RIP Pete Shelley https://t.co/TsB6QLk2JI
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) December 6, 2018
This compilation of Buzzcocks singles is one of my favourite albums. It's 48 minutes of pure punk bliss. You couldn't ask for a finer run of 45's. Please give it a spin right now and remember the huge talent in music that was singer and writer Pete Shelley. He will be missed. pic.twitter.com/nxkyxxJZ9s
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) December 7, 2018
One of the best.
The 16 year old me has a lot to thank the wonderful Pete Shelley for, and those songs still hit me the same way even now. Buzzcocks and his solo records are a major part of my musical DNA.
Rest in peace
— erol alkan (@erolalkan) December 6, 2018
"And I hate modern music
Disco boogie and pop
They go on an' on an' on an' on an' on…"Sadly, now they have stopped.
All of us are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a true original and phenomenal songwriter.
R.I.P. Pete Shelley.
— Stiff Little Fingers (@RigidDigits) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/jakeburnsslf/status/1070785164807159808?s=21
So sad to lose Pete Shelley. What an inspiration! #RIP #peteshelley https://t.co/3MGnLR19pX
— superchunk (@superchunk) December 6, 2018
Damn. Pete Shelley gone. The Buzzcocks were and are a favorite of mine, and I was fortunate to be able to hang with Pete a few times and tell him so. R.I.P., Pete. #Buzzcocks
— Sweet Daddy Cool✌️🇺🇦 🐕🇨🇦 (@m_millsey) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/officiaupstarts/status/1070784718730350595?s=21
Oh Shit … #RIPPeteShelley pic.twitter.com/mOFDMnWRu8
— Kevin Cummins (@KCMANC) December 6, 2018
always felt this buzzcocks song was the most underrated. the guitar interplay is sublime. RIP pete shelley, one of the best there ever was https://t.co/aQwvIJuHeC
— espresso bot (@trevordebrauw) December 6, 2018
Pete Shelley : one of the greatest British songwriters and key figure in punk rock and one of nicest musicians we have ever met RIP. @membranes1 supported Buzzcocks a few times and it was a joy. God bless you Pete and thanks for everything https://t.co/UY9wWayvp1
— membranes (@membranes1) December 6, 2018
oh no! Pete Shelley has died. Rest in power, Pete! https://t.co/3lUHIUNjuh
— colin meloy (@colinmeloy) December 6, 2018
one of the greatest pop songs ever written https://t.co/bGj7KrHCBI
— colin meloy (@colinmeloy) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/TanyaDonelly/status/1070794932179402754
Here’s Pete Shelley talking about the 70s, putting on the Sex Pistols and writing riffs for Magazine.. https://t.co/4gq7SxSuBY
— stuart murdoch (@nee_massey) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/InstantAnxiety/status/1070814705734705152
Shocked to hear of the passing of our good mate Pete Shelley who’s fabulous songs are amongst the catchiest in all of punk rock. We will miss you Pete – love from @damnedtwits, X pic.twitter.com/VJeq4Nh5JR
— Captain Sensible (@CaptainSensible) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/RonSexsmith/status/1070798128687702016
sad to hear about the passing of pete shelley. the homosapien album meant so much to me at an age when i didn't know myself very well. he seemed both really warm and analytical, like a wise older brother or something. thanks for the company pete. and all the great pop music. pic.twitter.com/P7jciEbPp7
— matthew caws (@nadasurf) December 6, 2018
Ah, christ. He wrote some of my favorites, and was a constant musical presence for most of my life. https://t.co/ultJZHtaLz
— Continuity Ted Leo Account 🍉 (@tedleo) December 6, 2018
We covered “Hollow Inside” once and someone said “I didn’t really like your new song.”
— Ted Leo (@tedleo) December 6, 2018
Devastated by Pete Shelley’s death. I produced ‘Ever fallen in love’ in 2005 with him, Plant,Elton,Daltrey in memory of John Peel
— Andy Gill (@andygangof4) December 6, 2018
Pete Shelley and Buzzcocks were a huge inspiration. What a songwriter! Thanks for everything you gave us. Certainly made me want to be in a band.
— Alex Kapranos (@alkapranos) December 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/ACNewman/status/1070814662906822656
https://twitter.com/ryleywalker/status/1070831579172401152
this is my favourite pete shelley song: https://t.co/oo3Gu54LQy
— Junior Boys (@Juniorboys) December 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/UMO/status/1070841386797158401
Condolences to all of those touched by the passing of Pete Shelley. Everyone remembers when they first heard the Buzzcocks. Singularly influential. We learned the sad news leaving stage in Birmingham.
— Buffalo Tom (@buffalotomband) December 6, 2018
I wrote for Pete Shelley , Buzzcocks,Blue Boy, The 2 single ,1980, long time ago-Edwyn,
— Edwyn Collins (@EdwynCollins) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/normanbrannon/status/1070796832517824520?s=21
https://twitter.com/normanblake/status/1070785404146720768?s=21
So sad about Pete Shelley. Feeling a bit teary listening to the beautiful tribute to him / Buzzcocks on @BBCGidCoeShow. He was kind of my hero when I was 16 and I never once felt let down. Not only great but s great gateway to Can and other musics too. Thanks Pete. pic.twitter.com/gV4VCZiSBv
— the pastels (@pastels_the) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/stranglerssite/status/1070793894160416774?s=21
It’s shit that Pete Shelley died.
— Irvine Welsh (@IrvineWelsh) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/mrgregdulli/status/1070796859927486464?s=21
R.I.P. Pete Shelley. Thanks for the music, mate⚡️ #punkrock pic.twitter.com/QhXI27sYGt
— Mick Rossi’s GUN ST (@satdvicious) December 6, 2018
This is very sad news. Such an Incredible songwriter…& those melodies! 💙 Thank you for all the amazing music #PeteShelley https://t.co/rsGpzxcPko
— Gaz Coombes (@GazCoombes) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/trevorjofficial/status/1070795559173283840
Rest In Peace Pete Shelley . As a lifelong @Buzzcocks fan…I so appreciate the musical influence Pete. Condolences to your family….
— Duff McKagan (@DuffMcKagan) December 6, 2018
RIP Pete Shelley pic.twitter.com/l634wdn1gH
— PIXIES (@PIXIES) December 7, 2018
Dear God I can’t believe this! I loved this man’s work in the early years of the Buzzcocks. A true pioneer linking the path between pop and punk, RIP #PeteShelley https://t.co/j9o2aZEdab
— Stephen Street (@StreetStephen) December 6, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrD8ysRFDZx/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrEWq-sl6Ri/