Whitby 60s Festival music promoter mourns loss of popular singer Steve Ellis
Whitby’s 60s festival music promoter Chris Wood has spoken of his heartbreak following the death of Steve Ellis, the former lead singer of The Love Affair, who died recently aged 76.
In a poignant twist, Steve was already booked to headline the September 2027 Whitby Pavilion 60s Spectacular, with posters printed and tickets on sale before the news of his death.
He was part of a three day line - up that included a number of top 60s acts and tributes - with Steve headlining the September weekend scheduled for September 17-19 next year.
Chris and his wife Christine had enjoyed a friendship with Steve stretching back many years.
They had promoted him long before the Whitby 60s weekends became an established fixture, and he went on to become one of the event’s most regular and popular performers.
Chris said: “Christine and I are absolutely heartbroken.
"We have known Steve for many years and enjoyed working with him long before our Whitby weekends began.
"He was always an absolute pleasure to work with, but more importantly, over the years he became a very special friend.
“We spoke to Steve just a few weeks ago and he was telling us how much he loved being part of our Whitby weekends and how much he was looking forward to coming back next year.
“He had cut back on many of his live appearances in recent years, but he always told us he would never turn down the opportunity to work with us.
"He loved Whitby and North Yorkshire, and our audiences absolutely adored him.
"He was so much more than an act on a bill; he was part of our extended 60s family.
“We have shared so many wonderful times and memories with Steve, and we will treasure every one of them.”
Steve shot to fame at just 16 as lead singer of The Love Affair.
Their recording of Everlasting Love topped the UK charts in 1968 and became an international hit.
Further successes included Rainbow Valley and Bringing On Back The Good Times, securing his place in the soundtrack of the 1960s.
Both Whitby Pavilion 60s Spectacular weekends next June 4/5/6th and September 17/18/19th are already selling well, with Steve having been booked to headline the latter.
Chris added: “We will look at how we replace Steve.
"It will be difficult, but that’s for another day ahead.
"Christine and I plus our full team are still reeling from the loss of our very special friend.
“We will certainly find a way to pay tribute to Steve and celebrate the wonderful legacy he leaves behind.
He gave so much pleasure to so many people through his music, and we feel incredibly lucky to have shared so much of our lives with him along the North Yorkshire coast that he loved so much.
"He was a very humble human being and he shared a magical bond with his fans that lasted six decades and more - we witnessed that first hand with every Whitby return visit.
“Our thoughts, love, respect and compassion are with his family at this terribly sad time.”