UK Eurovision Song Contest winner dies from heart failure as tributes paid

Brotherhood of Man, Eurovision Song Contest winners
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Singer Martin Lee has died at the age of 77 as tributes pour in for the former Eurovision winner. Lee was part of the group Brotherhood of Man, who won the Eurovision Song Contest for the UK in 1976.

He was a lead vocalist when the group won with its song 'Save Your Kisses For Me' in The Hague, in the Netherlands. The win was such an overwhelming success it topped the table in the international competition with 164 points - more than 70 points ahead of second-placed Switzerland.

'Save Your Kisses For Me' topped the UK singles chart in the same year and was also number one in more than 30 different countries. In a statement from Brotherhood of Man, the band said Lee died following a short illness.

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The band said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our great friend and colleague Brotherhood Of Man’s Martin Lee, who slipped peacefully away on the evening of Sunday, September 29, 2024, from heart failure after a short illness. Martin was 77."

Tony Hiller, the group’s manager, put the song’s success down to their TV appearances across France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland the year before Eurovision. The record sold six million copies.

Lee joined the group as their main vocalist and guitarist in 1972 – along with Lee Sheriden, Sandra Stevens, and Nicky Stevens. The Eurovision win came after they had their first European number one with Kiss Me Kiss Your Baby.

Lee was born Martin Barnes on November 26, 1946, in Purley, London. He spent five years of his youth living in Australia.

He came to the attention of songwriter and publisher Hiller in the early 70s and was invited to be part of the group he managed - Brotherhood of Man. Before joining the band, Lee released a solo single called Cry Jose.

He also played in the Johnny Howard Band.