DENBIGHSHIRE Council’s leader paid tribute to The Alarm frontman Mike Peters, who passed away last month.
Mike died aged 66 after having treatment at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.
He was first diagnosed with the blood cancer chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) more than 30 years ago, aged 36.
Stars of the 1980s, The Alarm sold over six million albums with their brand of post-punk alternative music, releasing 19 albums.
Speaking at this week’s cabinet meeting, Denbighshire ’s leader Cllr Jason McLellan paid tribute to the late star.
“I think it is fair to say that Mike was truly an icon of Welsh music, and he was a proud resident of Denbighshire,” he said.
“He was really proud of his roots here in North Wales and here in Denbighshire, growing up in Rhyl and Prestatyn, living in Dyserth.
“Mike travelled the world with his band. He sold millions of records and worked with the likes of Queen, U2, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen, but he never, ever forgot his roots, and on the world stage, he talked about his love of Wales and particularly North Wales and his roots in Rhyl and Dyserth.”
He added: “He had a special relationship with his fans, and fans travelled from all over the country and all over the world to come to this part of North Wales to his annual event, The Gathering. His origins were in Rhyl Town Hall.
“One of the times I saw Mike recently was as COVID was finishing and a concert in Rhyl Town Hall, a brilliant occasion and in Prestatyn and recently in Llandudno as well.
“Mike was a real strong supporter of the Welsh language.
“His 1989 album, his fourth album, ‘Change’, was released as a Welsh language album as well, at a time when he led the way on that, and he was proud to play on the steps of the Senedd at the opening ceremony in 1999.”
Cllr McLellan said Mike would be remembered for raising awareness and funds around blood cancer through his Love, Hope, Strength charity, saving many lives.
The leader sent best wishes to Mike’s family. Last year the frontman had been due to fly to Chicago for a 50-date US tour, but doctors diagnosed him with Richter’s syndrome, a much more aggressive lymphoma.
Mike leaves his wife Jules, 58, and two sons, Dylan, 20, and Evan, 18.
