Peter Byrne, the singer and songwriter who co-founded Naked Eyes and helped turn “Always Something There to Remind Me” into an early-’80s synth-pop hit, has died. He was 74.
Byrne died peacefully in Los Angeles on Sept. 14 following a brief illness, according to a Sept. 23 announcement on the band’s official website. A specific cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Born in Islington, North London, Byrne formed Naked Eyes with keyboardist Rob Fisher in 1982 after the longtime musical partners had already played together in the band Neon. Their 1983 debut album produced the duo’s two biggest U.S. singles, “Always Something There to Remind Me” and “Promises, Promises.”
Naked Eyes ultimately scored four Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 during its original run. After Fisher’s death in 1999, Byrne returned to the Naked Eyes name and continued recording and performing the group’s music for more than two decades.
Naked Eyes Announced Byrne’s Death on Sept. 23
The band’s statement said Byrne died “peacefully” after a brief illness but did not identify the illness or provide additional medical details.
Byrne is survived by his siblings Eileen, Sandy, Carol and Steve; his three children, Merlin, Dylan and Chloe; and his ex-wife Elena. His family will hold a private service.
Before Naked Eyes, Byrne worked on several music projects in England. He played in Studio from 1977 to 1979 before joining Neon, whose lineup also included Fisher and future Tears for Fears members Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal.
Byrne and Fisher signed with EMI Records as Naked Eyes in 1982 and began recording their debut at Abbey Road Studios with producer Tony Mansfield.
‘Always Something There to Remind Me’ Became Naked Eyes’ Biggest U.S. Hit
Their debut was released as Burning Bridges in the U.K. and as the self-titled Naked Eyes in the United States, where it reached No. 32 on the Billboard 200.
The album included the duo’s electronic interpretation of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “Always Something There to Remind Me.” The song climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Naked Eyes’ highest-charting U.S. single.
“Promises, Promises,” written by Byrne and Fisher, followed at No. 11. Their remaining two Top 40 hits were “When the Lights Go Out,” which reached No. 37, and “(What) In the Name of Love,” which peaked at No. 39, according to the band’s official announcement.
Naked Eyes released its second studio album, Fuel for the Fire, in 1984. Byrne subsequently contributed backing vocals to Stevie Wonder’s 1985 No. 1 single “Part-Time Lover” and wrote music for film and television.
Byrne Continued Making Naked Eyes Music After Rob Fisher’s Death
Fisher died in 1999 at age 42. Byrne continued making music, first releasing the 2001 solo album The Real Illusion under the name Pete Byrne before reviving Naked Eyes for subsequent recordings and live performances.
His later releases under the Naked Eyes name included Fumbling with the Covers in 2007 and Disguise the Limit in 2021. Byrne also toured extensively in the United States and internationally, keeping the duo’s original songs in his live sets.
A remastered edition of the original U.S. Naked Eyes album arrived in 2025. The expanded release included bonus tracks, previously unreleased demos and remixes by Jellybean Benitez, including a version of “Promises, Promises” featuring additional vocals from Madonna.
More than four decades after its original release, “Always Something There to Remind Me” remained the song most closely associated with Byrne and Naked Eyes. The band’s family statement asked those wishing to pay tribute to Byrne to support his music and leave condolences through the Naked Eyes website.