Pete Burns, English singer-songwriter (d. 2016)
Peter Jozzeppi Burns (5 August 1959 – 23 October 2016) was an English musician, singer, songwriter, and television personality. In 1979 he founded the band Nightmares In Wax; in 1980 changes were made to the band's line-up and the name was changed to Dead or Alive. Burns was the group's vocalist and songwriter. The band rose to mainstream success with their 1984 single "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)".
Burns rose to further celebrity status in the British media following his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother 4, in which he finished in fifth place. He appeared on further television reality shows, including as a presenter. He was known for his ever-changing (and often androgynous) appearance, which he freely admitted was greatly modified by cosmetic surgery that eventually bankrupted him and caused health problems later in his life.
1959Aug, 5
Pete Burns
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Events on 1959
- 1Jan
Cuban Revolution
Fulgencio Batista, dictator of Cuba, is overthrown by Fidel Castro's forces during the Cuban Revolution. - 7Jan
Fidel Castro
The United States recognizes the new Cuban government of Fidel Castro. - 20Feb
John Diefenbaker
The Avro Arrow program to design and manufacture supersonic jet fighters in Canada is cancelled by the Diefenbaker government amid much political debate. - 8Apr
COBOL
A team of computer manufacturers, users, and university people led by Grace Hopper meets to discuss the creation of a new programming language that would be called COBOL. - 23Nov
Charles de Gaulle
French President Charles de Gaulle declares in a speech in Strasbourg his vision for "Europe, from the Atlantic to the Urals".