Pete Burns, the flamboyant lead singer of '80s pop group Dead or Alive died Sunday of a heart attack. He was 57.
The sad news came via a message on Twitter from his management, his partner Michael Simpson, and his ex-wife Lynne Corlett.
"All of his family and friends are devastated by the loss of our special star," it read.
"He was a true visionary, a beautiful talented soul, and he will be missed by all who loved and appreciated everything he was and all of the wonderful memories he has left us with."
Boy George of Culture Club tweeted that he was "tearful" about Burns' death. "He was one of our great true eccentrics and such a big part of my life! Wow. Hard to believe!"
Marc Almond of Soft Cell tweeted: "We've had some mad times with Pete but he was a one off creation, a fabulous fantastic brilliant creature and always sweet to me."
The Wanted member Tom Parker called Burns "a true eccentric."
"One of the greats has gone," tweeted Martin Fry of ABC.
Gender-bending singer Marilyn also expressed shock at the news. "Only just saw him...my sincerest wishes to his family, friends, and fans," he tweeted.
Born in England, Burns enjoyed global success with the Dead Or Alive hit "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" off their second album Youthquake. The track was sampled by Flo Rida for his 2009 hit "Right Round."
The group also had some success with the singles "Lover Come Back To Me" and "My Heart Goes Bang."
Dead or Alive recorded seven studio albums between 1984 and 2000. Burns tried to have a solo career by releasing the singles “Sex Drive” in 1994, “Jack & Jill Party” in 2004, and “Never Marry an Icon” in 2010.
Burns was open about his passion for cosmetic surgery. He admitted to having had more than 300 procedures, and said he nearly died in 2006 while having surgery on his nose.
In 2009, he was hospitalized in London after collapsing due to kidney stones.