12. Jimmy Somerville (Bronski Beat)
Popular British synthpop trio, Bronski Beat, achieved widespread success in the mid 1980s for their hit “Smalltown Boy,” which told the tale of a boy whose family cast him away for being gay. “Smalltown Boy” peaked at No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart and the music video for the song showed lead singer Jimmy Somerville eagerly trying to make friends in a swimming pool, then being attacked by an anti-gay gang, being brought home to his family by the police and ultimately getting kicked out of his home for being gay. Including Somerville, the other members of Bronski Beat, Steve Bronski and Larry Steinbachaek, were all openly gay, and their songs often reflected this, containing political commentary about gay issues. Although many other groups at this time had an openly gay member, Bronski Beat was one of the first to address the real issues and struggles of the gay community. Somerville left Bronski Beat in 1985 and went on to have success as the lead singer of The Communards and also as a solo artist. The group did a reunion concert in 1987 for International AIDS Day. In 1999, Somerville performed alongside Boy George, George Michael and Elton John at the Stonewall “Equality Show” in London. Somerville’s honesty as an openly gay singer and performer never hurt his album sales, and he helped pave the way for many artists.
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