Eddy Amoo, the lead singer of the Real Thing – the British soul group who had a UK No 1 single with You To Me Are Everything in 1976 – has died, aged 74.
Their other hits included ‘Can You Feel The Force’ and ‘Can’t Get By Without You’.
Amoo passed away on Friday (February 23) in Australia. His death was sudden and the cause is yet unclear.
The news was confirmed by Amoo’s brother Chris and bandmate Dave Smith, the two sole surviving members of the group.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our brother and inspiration, Eddy Amoo, who passed away on 23rd February, age 74,” a tweet from Chris and Dave read.
On the band’s website, he was described as “a showman, a songwriter and a legend in British music. Eddy will long be remembered as a tour de force in British music and he will be sorely missed.”
TV presenter and actor Floella Benjamin has paid tribute to Amoo, describing him as a “gem” and saying that his “legacy and music will love on”. The pair worked together on the 1977 film Black Joy.
Amoo’s friend Simon Sheridan told that Amoo, who was an “inspirational character”, died suddenly. He added that the Real Thing were “huge pioneers of black music in the UK”.
> Shiuly Akter
