Dead Or Alive’s Pete Burns Dies

Dead Or Alive founder Pete Burns has died.  The man whose voice powered the ’80s hit “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)” was 57.

Photo: (Ian West / PA file via AP
Performing in London.

Burns died after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to the BBC.  Burns management posted the bad news via the artist’s Twitter account.

“All of his family and friends are devastated by the loss of our special star,” management said in the tweet.  “He was a true visionary, a beautiful talented soul, and he will be missed by all who loved and appreciated everything he was and all of the wonderful memories he has left us with.”

Burns founded Dead Or Alive in 1980.  The band exploded into the mainstream with the hit “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record).”  Although the single was released in November 1984, it didn’t conquer the charts until March 1985.

Burns had recently appeared on several TV reality shows, including “Celebrity Wife Swap” and “The Body Shocking Show,” the BBC reports.  Politician George Galloway, who appeared with Burns on “Celebrity  Big Brother,” tweeted, “Sad to hear of the demise of Pete Burns.  He was a cross between Oscar Wilde and Dorothy Parker.  You don’t get more brilliant than that.  RIP.”