Black Lace Singer Colin Gibb Dies At 70

Colin Gibb, who was the lead singer for the novelty pop band ‘Black Lace‘, has died at the age of 70. The band’s most notable success with Gibb at the helm came in 1984 with the breakout success of their song ‘Agadoo’.

Gibb joined the group back in 1976, as the band recorded their debut single in 1979 entitled ‘Mary Ann’. The late singer’s cause of death has not yet been revealed, as news of his death is just breaking.

His wife Susan Kelly posted the following message announcing the singer’s death on her Facebook page,

“I love you Colin … we were due to retire to Spain on Thursday, you were so happy, so looking forward to our new life, now you’re gone. As we used to say, always love you forever.”

Dene Michael, who played alongside of Gibb in Black Lace posted the following message in memorial of his former bandmate,

“So sad to announce the passing of my singing partner in Black Lace Colin Gibb. Rest in peace my friend God bless you.”

The Guardian published about his career,

Cheerfully unfashionable and informed by the crowdpleasing sounds of glam rock and Euro-disco, this incarnation of Black Lace found vast success. Aside from an ode to group sex called Gang Bang, their songs appealed across generations thanks to their singalong choruses and simple dance moves.

They recorded a version of Chicken Dance, AKA The Birdie Song, in 1981, followed by their first chart hit in 1983, Superman. The next year brought their biggest hit, Agadoo – a cover version of an earlier Europop hit – which reached No 2 in the UK and spent 35 weeks on the charts, and found success across Europe. They returned to the UK Top 10 with their next single Do the Conga, and later had minor hits with cover versions of children’s songs such as I Am the Music Man and Hokey Cokey, as well as the Sweet’s glam classic Wig-Wam Bam.

His bandmate from the band’s peak years, Alan Barton, died in 1995. But buoyed by ubiquity from a generation of wedding parties and school discos, Black Lace were able to continue touring long after their heyday. Gibb announced his retirement only last month, saying “all good things must come to an end”, adding that he would play a final concert at a Tenerife hotel.

The Guardian

Though he saw success commercially in his earlier years, Gibb stayed dedicated to his music throughout his life. He will always be remembered for his interesting and outlandish style.

The idea that Gibb passed away just days before he was set to embark on retirement with his wife is truly tragic. Rest in peace Colin Gibb!