Last Surviving Member of ’80s New Wave Band Dies at 74
The singer and songwriter helped define the sound of the early ’80s with four Top 40 hits, including one that reached the Top 10.
Peter Byrne, the singer and songwriter who co-founded the ’80s band Naked Eyes and sang the hit “Always Something There to Remind Me,” has died. He was 74.
Naked Eyes announced Byrne’s death on Sept. 23, revealing that the musician died peacefully in Los Angeles on Sept. 14 following a brief illness.
Born in Islington, North London, in 1952, Byrne formed Naked Eyes with his longtime musical partner Rob Fisher in 1982. The pair had previously played together in Neon, a band whose lineup also included future Tears for Fears members Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal.
Naked Eyes quickly found success in the United States with their distinctive synth-pop version of the Burt Bacharach and Hal David song “Always Something There to Remind Me.”
The duo recorded the song at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios with producer Tony Mansfield. Byrne later recalled that he and Fisher had initially reconstructed the song from memory after having a friend read the lyrics to them over the phone.
Released in the U.K. in 1982, Naked Eyes’ version became a much bigger success in the United States the following year, climbing to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1983.
It was the band’s biggest American hit, but far from its only one. Naked Eyes followed it with the Byrne-Fisher original “Promises, Promises,” which reached No. 11. “When the Lights Go Out” peaked at No. 37, while “(What) In the Name of Love” reached No. 39, giving the duo four Top 40 hits in just two years.
Their debut album Burning Bridges, released as the self-titled Naked Eyes in the United States, reached No. 32 on the Billboard 200. Their second album Fuel for the Fire arrived in 1984.
Byrne also provided backing vocals on Stevie Wonder’s 1985 No. 1 hit “Part-Time Lover” and later wrote music for film and television, including material for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Fisher died in 1999 at age 42 following cancer surgery. Byrne eventually revived Naked Eyes as a live act and continued recording and touring under the band’s name. Naked Eyes released Fumbling with the Covers in 2007 and Disguise the Limit in 2021, while a remastered edition of the band’s original self-titled album arrived in 2025.
Byrne continued performing into his 70s. In 2024, Naked Eyes joined Wang Chung, Men Without Hats and The Motels for the Abducted by the 80’s tour.
Byrne is survived by his siblings Eileen, Sandy, Carol and Steve; his children Merlin, Dylan and Chloe; and his ex-wife, Elena. According to the band’s announcement, a private service will be held for his family.
DJ Taz's Take: One hell of a band!
Truly enjoy this band and have since high school. Suppose I am next to go.