With heavy hearts, we announce the heartbreaking passing of this beloved '60s teen idol who captured the hearts of so many fans

For generations of music fans, the opening notes of “Everlasting Love” are almost impossible to hear without immediately recognizing the soaring voice that helped make the song unforgettable.

Now, that voice has fallen silent.

Steve Ellis, the celebrated British singer who shot to fame as the frontman of Love Affair and delivered one of the most memorable pop performances of the late 1960s, has died at the age of 76.

News of Ellis’s passing has brought an outpouring of tributes from fans who still associate his unmistakable vocals with an extraordinary period in British music.

For anyone who remembers 1968, “Everlasting Love” was difficult to escape.

It poured from radios in living rooms, cars, cafés and dance halls as young audiences embraced a rapidly changing musical landscape.

Love Affair’s recording became one of the defining songs of that moment.

Originally written by Buzz Cason and Mac Gayden and first recorded by American singer Robert Knight, the song was transformed into a major British hit with Ellis delivering the powerful lead vocal.

Before that breakthrough, Love Affair had already begun trying to establish themselves on the British music scene.

One of their early releases was “She Smiled Sweetly,” written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

It failed to provide the breakthrough they hoped for.

Then “Everlasting Love” arrived.

Ellis later recalled that the song had come to the group’s attention through managers David Wedgebury and John Cokell, who were able to obtain imported records.

The young singer was immediately taken with it.