‘Agadoo’ Black Lace icon Colin Gibb dies, age 70

3 June, 2024

Colin Gibb in Black Lace

Black Lace singer Colin Gibb, who was responsible for huge party hits ‘Agadoo’ and ‘Do The Conga’, has died.

His wife Sue Kelly confirmed that he had passed away at the age of 70, yesterday (June 2).

She wrote on Facebook: “It is with heartbreaking news that I am letting you all know my dearest husband Colin Gibb died this afternoon. I love you Colin, spent 22 years living your Agadoo dream, we were due to retire to Spain on Thursday, you were so happy, so looking forward to our new life, now you’re gone.

“As we used to say, always love you forever.”

Former bandmate Dene Michael also paid his respects, adding: “So sad to hear the passing of my singing partner with Black Lace RIP my friend Colin Gibb. God Bless.”

Following his death a statement on Black Lace’s Facebook page also said: “Colin was one of the founder members of Black Lace, together with Alan Barton, and will be truly missed by everyone who knew him. We’d like to send his family and friends all our love and support at this extremely difficult time.”

Black Lace finished in seventh place at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1979 before the original band split in 1981.

Band members Gibb and Alan Barton kept the name as a two-piece and they went on to achieve huge success with party tunes like ‘Superman’, ‘Hokey Cokey’, ‘Wig-Wam Bam’ and ‘I Am The Music Man’.

But 1984 hit ‘Agadoo’ was their biggest success, selling more than a million copies worldwide and becoming a staple of school discos and wedding parties.

Despite numerous line-up changes, Gibb remained in the band for decades.

He announced his retirement earlier this month and told fans he would play one final show in Tenerife.

“Thanks to all of you that have supported Black Lace over the years, and the thousands of friends I have met during that time, since we set out in 1975,” he said at the time.

The post ‘Agadoo’ Black Lace icon Colin Gibb dies, age 70 appeared first on NME.