Martin Lee, the esteemed singer and songwriter known for his role in the pop group Brotherhood of Man, has died at the age of 77. According to a statement from the PA News Agency, shared on the band’s Facebook page, Lee passed away on Sunday from heart failure following a brief illness.
Brotherhood of Man rose to fame after winning the 1976 Eurovision Song Contest with their iconic song “Save Your Kisses for Me.” The hit reached number one in over 30 countries and became one of the best-selling singles in Eurovision history.
The band’s statement expressed their sorrow, stating, “He will be sadly missed by his fellow band members Nicky Stevens, Lee Sheriden, and especially Sandra Stevens, to whom he had been married for 45 happy years.”
Lee joined Brotherhood of Man in 1972, taking on the roles of lead vocalist and guitarist. The band achieved remarkable success with “Save Your Kisses for Me,” which triumphed in the Eurovision contest held in the Netherlands, garnering 164 points—more than 70 points ahead of the runner-up, Switzerland.
Tony Hiller, the group’s manager, credited the song’s popularity to their extensive television appearances across France, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland in the lead-up to the contest. The single ultimately sold six million copies worldwide.
In addition to “Save Your Kisses for Me,” the group produced other hits such as “United We Stand,” “Oh Boy,” and “Kiss Me Kiss Your Baby.” Lee co-wrote several of their songs with Sheriden, including “Angelo” and “Figaro,” both of which topped the UK charts.
Following their Eurovision victory, Brotherhood of Man continued to tour globally until their retirement in 2020. In their statement, the group reflected on their memories together: “We have so many happy memories but now we are in total shock and cannot imagine a world without Martin Lee.”
Before joining Brotherhood of Man, Lee had already made a mark in the music industry with a solo single titled “Cry Jose” and had performed with the Johnny Howard Band. Born Martin Barnes on November 26, 1946, in Purley, London, Lee spent part of his youth in Australia before launching his successful career.
