Mike Peters, known for his role as the lead singer of the Welsh rock group The Alarm, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the age of 66. His death concludes a long and public battle with cancer, which spanned nearly 30 years.
Peters was born in Prestatyn, Wales, and gained fame in the early 1980s as the frontman and guitarist for The Alarm. The band originated in Rhyl, Wales, with Peters and childhood friends Nigel Twist and Dave Sharp. They became known for hits like “68 Guns,” “Strength,” and “Rain in the Summertime,” which helped establish them as a prominent alternative rock band from Wales.
The Alarm were recognized as the first Welsh group since Tom Jones and Bonnie Tyler to break into the American music scene, serving as trailblazers for Welsh rock internationally. They sold approximately five million records and had 16 singles reach the UK Top 50 charts.
Peters’ life changed significantly in 1995 when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 36. This began a prolonged period of health challenges, marked by various cancer diagnoses, treatments, and remissions. Despite these obstacles, Peters continued his musical pursuits.
Following the disbandment of The Alarm’s original lineup in 1991, Peters performed and recorded with new musicians under The Alarm’s name and pursued other musical projects. Between 2011 and 2013, he became the lead singer for Big Country, a Scottish rock band, and also collaborated with Billy Duffy of The Cult in the band Coloursound.
In 2005, Peters was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which recurred in 2015 but later went into remission.
Peters co-founded the Love Hope Strength Foundation with his wife, Jules, in 2006. The foundation, a music-based cancer charity, has added 250,000 people to the global stem cell registry and organized concerts in unique locations to support cancer research and treatment.
His contributions to cancer care were acknowledged in 2019 when Peters was honored with an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his efforts in cancer advocacy.
Throughout his career, Peters performed with well-known artists such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and U2. Although The Alarm experienced significant success in the UK, they struggled to achieve mainstream popularity in the United States, yet Peters maintained an international fan base through his dedicated touring and genuine musical presentations.
Peters also contributed to Welsh culture beyond rock music by composing “The Red Wall Of Cymru,” the official song for Wales’ EURO 2020 campaign.
In the previous year, Peters’ health faced a significant challenge. After achieving remission in September 2024 from a clinical trial, he was diagnosed with Richter’s syndrome in April, an aggressive form of lymphoma, leading to the cancellation of a 50-date tour. Peters informed fans that without treatment, his prognosis was only months.
Peters underwent Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy (CART) at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, fighting with determination until his passing.
During his health struggles, Peters was recognized as a strong supporter of the NHS and a person who “loved life like nobody else.” His positive outlook extended to his performances and advocacy, including his participation in the Light of Day benefit concert series in New Jersey.
Peters’ musical legacy is marked by powerful songs like “Blaze of Glory,” “Spirit of ’76,” “Sixty Eight Guns,” and “The Stand,” known for their meaningful lyrics and rock melodies. His unique voice and delivery became key elements of The Alarm’s acoustic-centered sound.
Peters is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jules, and their sons, Dylan and Evan. The family has requested donations to the Love Hope Strength Foundation to support cancer patients around the world.
The music industry has lost a significant figure whose contributions extended beyond his performances to his efforts in cancer advocacy.
