Steve Ellis, the Love Affair frontman who recorded Everlasting Love at 16, dies aged 76 after a chronic illness

Steve Ellis died peacefully on the evening of October 30 in the presence of his loved ones, a statement on his Facebook page confirmed. The London-born singer was just 16 when 'Everlasting Love' knocked The Beatles' 'Hello Goodbye' off the number one spot in January 1968.

Ellis's first band at 15 was The Clifton Bystanders; he later formed the Soul Survivors, which became Love Affair.

Musician Norman Beaker paid tribute, calling Ellis 'a good friend and a great voice' and a 'legend with the mod movement.'

The hit carried controversy after it emerged Ellis was the only band member who actually played on the recording.