Steve Bronski

Steven William Forrest (7 February 1960 – 7 December 2021) was a Scottish singer-songwriter.[1][2] He was a co-founder and keyboard player of the group Bronski Beat, known for the singles "Smalltown Boy" and "Why?".[3] He was also well known as an LGBTQ activist and was openly gay himself from an early age.[4]

Born in Castlemilk, Glasgow on 7 February 1960, Bronski worked in his youth as a labourer. He lived in a flat in Brixton, London during the early formative period of Bronski Beat with his fellow musicians. Later on he squatted with partner and bandmate Larry Steinbachek in Camberwell, London.[5] Following the break up of the band he lived in Thailand for many years, as well as Paris, France, before returning to the United Kingdom.[6]

Bronski died from smoke inhalation in a fire at his home in Soho, London, on 7 December 2021, at the age of 61. He had been incapacitated in 2018, after a stroke which limited his mobility.[7][8]