Mike Peters, the legendary frontman of the iconic Welsh rock band The Alarm, has passed away at 66. Peters, a significant figure in the music industry, formed The Alarm in 1981 in Rhyl, Denbighshire, and led the band through a remarkable career that spanned over four decades.
The Alarm rose to prominence with their anthem “Sixty Eight Guns” in 1983. Not to be overlooked, this fiery anthem even cracked the top 20 on the UK charts! The Outlaws Peters’s success was just the start for the Peters and the band blasting off into a prolific and creative journey. In 1984, The Alarm took the musical world by storm with their debut album Declaration, including the hits “Sixty Eight Guns” and “Blaze of Glory.” The band’s fusion of melodic hardcore and poetic, socially conscious lyrics invigorated a generation. Consequently, they sold over five million records internationally. They joined the select company of first Welsh musicians since Tom Jones and Bonnie Tyler to have a major impact across the pond in America.
For the remainder of his life, Peters experienced serious public health burdens. The former Congressman was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1995. By now it was the beginning of his 30-year war with blood cancer. Although Peters fought chronic lymphocytic leukaemia not once, but twice, he was still a pillar of hope for many. Earlier this year, he started a new, very specialized therapy that sought to “re-program” his immune cells. This rigorous treatment provided him with the thrilling prospect of a cancer-free life.
Peters’ dedication to improving the state of cancer care went beyond his own battle with the disease. He’s the co-founder, along with his wife, Jules, of the cancer charity Love Hope Strength Foundation. The foundation’s grassroots model involves recruiting new bone marrow donors at live music performances. This mission marries his love of music to health care and health equity efforts at a critical moment. In honor of his investments into cancer care, Peters received an MBE in 2019.
Peters has been Big Country’s front man since 2011. This was apart from his work with The Alarm. He launched an online charity concert, Big Busk. The series of walks moved between cancer wards in various hospitals across North Wales, with the journey ending at Cancer Awakened’s symbolic ascent to the summit of Snowdon.
Peters and Jules documented their experiences fighting cancer through two films: one detailing his battle with lymphoma and another produced by BBC Wales that chronicled a year in their lives, particularly focusing on her recovery from breast cancer, titled “While We Still Have Time.”
When Peters’ cancer returned, this time he was up against Richter syndrome, a rapidly developing subtype of lymphoma. His boundless spirit and determination to live life to the fullest came through in every moment of his painful battle with illness. In a poignant reflection on life and survival, Peters once stated, “to stay alive and appreciate every second you’ve got.”
Colleagues and friends have reacted with shock and sadness to learn of Peters’ untimely death. Gareth Jones, a close friend and collaborator, shared heartfelt memories: “I would have never had a career if it wasn’t for him and it’s a hard day to know that he’s not around anymore.” We worked together, we loved together, we drank together, we played rock ‘n’ roll together.
Billy Duffy, who worked with Peters, remarked on the profound connection between Peters and music: “(Music) was his lifeblood. Everything was an inspiration for him to express his feelings through music.”
After reforming The Alarm in 2000, Peters continued to electrify his fans with music that was new and lively. In addition, he was a tireless champion for cancer advocacy. His legacy as a musician and philanthropist has left an indelible mark on both the music community and those touched by his charitable endeavors.
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