LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT) — Pete Byrne, the singer and songwriter who co-founded the new wave duo Naked Eyes and performed the hit songs “Always Something There to Remind Me” and “Promises, Promises,” has died at age 74 following a brief illness, according to Billboard.
Byrne died peacefully in Los Angeles on Monday, September 14, according to a statement released by the band and reported by Billboard. His official cause of death had not been disclosed.
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Byrne was best known as the lead vocalist of Naked Eyes, the British synth-pop duo he formed with longtime musical partner Rob Fisher in 1982. The group achieved major success in the United States during the early 1980s, producing several Billboard Hot 100 hits.
The duo’s biggest hit was “Always Something There to Remind Me,” a synth-pop interpretation of the Burt Bacharach and Hal David song. Naked Eyes’ version reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1983 and became the group’s signature recording.
Naked Eyes also scored success with “Promises, Promises,” which reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, “When the Lights Go Out,” which peaked at No. 37, and “(What) In the Name of Love,” which reached No. 39. The group’s debut album reached No. 32 on the Billboard 200.
Byrne and Fisher recorded their debut album at Abbey Road Studios with producer Tony Mansfield. The album was released in the United States under the title “Naked Eyes” and in the United Kingdom as “Burning Bridges.”
Before forming Naked Eyes, Byrne began his music career in England during the 1970s. He performed in a duo with Jeff Starrs from 1976 to 1977 before joining the band Studio, where he remained from 1977 to 1979.
Byrne and Fisher also performed together in the group Neon, whose lineup included future Tears for Fears members Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Byrne and Fisher eventually formed Naked Eyes after their earlier musical collaborations.
Naked Eyes disbanded in the mid-1980s after releasing two studio albums. Although the group had achieved radio success, Byrne and Fisher did not tour together during the band’s original run, according to published accounts.
Fisher died in 1999 at age 42 following complications related to cancer surgery. Byrne later revived Naked Eyes, continuing to record and perform under the group’s name. He released the solo album “The Real Illusion” in 2001 and later issued additional Naked Eyes material, including “Fumbling with the Covers” in 2007 and “Disguise the Limit” in 2021.
A remastered edition of Naked Eyes’ original self-titled album was released in 2025. Byrne continued his musical work in the years following Fisher’s death and remained associated with the band’s catalog of 1980s hits.
In addition to his work with Naked Eyes, Byrne contributed to other musical projects, including backing vocals on Stevie Wonder’s 1985 hit “Part-Time Lover.” He also worked on music connected to film and television projects.
Byrne was born in Islington, North London, and was raised in Bath, England. His career included songwriting, recording and touring in the United States and internationally.
Byrne is survived by his three children, Merlin, Dylan and Chloe, as well as his siblings Eileen, Sandy, Carol and Steve, and his ex-wife, Elena. A private family service was expected to be held.
News of Byrne’s death was reported September 23, with tributes from fans and members of the music community recognizing his contribution to the new wave and synth-pop sound of the 1980s.
Los Angeles, where Byrne died, is a major music and entertainment center in Southern California. Naked Eyes’ music remains associated with the early-1980s pop and new wave era, particularly the group’s enduring hit “Always Something There to Remind Me.”
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