Singer-songwriter Martin Lee, who was a member of the Eurovision Song Contest winning group Brotherhood Of Man has died at the age of 77. The group won the title with its song Save Your Kisses For Me in The Hague, in the Netherlands with Lee as lead vocalist.
It 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 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.
“Martin sang lead vocals on the 1976 Eurovision Winner ‘Save Your Kisses for Me’ which was number 1 in 31 countries and the Guinness Book biggest selling Eurovision single of all time plus the biggest winner by percentage of vote. He was not only a wonderful singer but also co-wrote with band mate Lee Sheriden most of the Brotherhood of Man hits including the 3 number one records.
“Other awards include 26 Platinum, Gold & Silver Discs, 3 Ivor Novello awards and an ASCAP Shield for writing a top 10 hit in the United States. 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.
“Over the past 50 years the four of us have toured the world together in harmony and have so many happy memories but now we are in total shock and cannot imagine a world without Martin Lee. R.I.P.”
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 the contest. 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 – by Hiller after their initial line-up disbanded. His group’s Eurovision win came after they had their first European number one with Kiss Me Kiss Your Baby, which led the group’s songwriters to begin composing a song to enter into the competition.
Lee was born Martin Barnes, on November 26, 1946, in Purley, London, but had spent five years of his youth living in Australia. It was in the early 70s that he came to the attention of songwriter and publisher Tony Hiller who invited him to be part of the group he managed – Brotherhood of Man.
Prior to joining award-winning band Lee had already released a solo single called Cry Jose. He had also played in the Johnny Howard Band.
Fans of the band rushed to pay tribute to the singer after the news of his death broke. Ashley said: “Heartbreaking news. Some of the best days of my life were spent up and down the country, and trips abroad with Brotherhood.
“Martin took me under his wing as a very wet behind the ears agent and I enjoyed every minute I spent with him. My love and support goes out to you, Nicky, Lee and especially Sandra at this very sad time x x x”
Sally-Ann said: “So desperately sorry. My love for Eurovision was ignited by my very first glimpse at a Eurovision Song Contest, and that moment was when I heard Kisses For Me for the first time. You were such an important part of my childhood and remain so to this day. Huge condolences to you all.”
Chris said: “So very sorry to hear this. Like most people of my generation I have very strong memories of 1976 and how Save Your Kisses For Me was such an iconic song at the time. Had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing the group many years ago and Martin couldn’t have been more obliging and helpful, and also very funny! A really sad day.”