Stephen Ellis, the frontman of the band Love Affair whose hit Everlasting Love knocked a song by The Beatles off the top of the UK charts, died on October 30, 2026, at age 76, Novinky reported. A statement posted to Facebook by his family confirmed that he passed away peacefully on the evening of October 30, surrounded by loved ones following complications from a chronic illness.
Chart-Topping Success With Love Affair
Born on April 7, 1950, Ellis launched his musical journey in 1965 by playing in the Clifton Bystanders before forming his own group, Soul Survivors, Novinky reported. That band transformed into Love Affair in 1966. By early 1967, the group released its first two singles, including a soaring rendition of “Everlasting Love” that surged past The Beatles’ track “Hello, Goodbye” to claim the number-one spot on the UK singles chart. Ellis remained with Love Affair until 1970 before launching a solo career. Reflecting on his trajectory, he noted that the band never truly caught on outside of Britain, stating that he likely would not have left the group if they had successfully broken into the American market, according to Novinky.
Transition to Hard Rock and Widowmaker
Shedding his clean-cut teen idol image, Ellis pivoted toward a heavier musical style by joining the British rock band Widowmaker in 1975, Novinky reported. He performed with the group through 1977, contributing vocals to their self-titled debut album released in 1976. Beyond his work with Widowmaker, Ellis recorded the soundtrack for the 1970 film Loot, directed by Silvio Narizzano, and later collaborated with prominent musicians Paul Weller of The Jam and Roger Daltrey of The Who on his 2008 solo album, The Best of Days, News reported.
Final Musical Projects and Last Album
Ellis maintained his ties to the live music scene over subsequent decades, making a brief return to performing with New Amen Corner in 2013, Novinky reported. In September 2026, he released his final studio album, Baby Faced Assassin, which features tracks co-written alongside Paul Weller and Caroline Knott.