Peter Byrne, Naked Eyes Singer and Neon Co-Founder, Dead at 74

Peter Byrne, singer and co-founder of the British synth-pop duo Naked Eyes, died on September 14 in Los Angeles at the age of 74. Spokesperson Jim Merlis confirmed the death, adding that Byrne died peacefully after a brief illness. No specific cause of death was made available.

Byrne came up through Bath, England, where he and college friend Rob Fisher formed the group Neon alongside Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, both of whom later founded Tears for Fears. Byrne and Fisher split off as a duo, launching Naked Eyes in 1982 and signing with EMI Records the same year.

The band’s self-titled debut, released in North America as Naked Eyes and elsewhere as Burning Bridges, arrived in 1983 and peaked at Number 32 on the Billboard 200. Its reach came largely from two singles: a cover of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “Always Something There to Remind Me,” which hit Number Eight, and “Promises, Promises,” which reached Number 11. A third track, “When the Lights Go Out,” also landed in the Top 40.

Naked Eyes followed with Fuel for the Fire in 1984, producing the Top 40 hit “(What) in the Name of Love” before the duo disbanded. Byrne went on to sing backing vocals on Stevie Wonder’s “Part-Time Lover” and to write for television, film, and the Olsen Twins. After Fisher’s death in 1999, Byrne kept recording, releasing the solo album The Real Illusion in 2001 and leading Naked Eyes through later titles including Disguise the Limit.