UK
Colin Gibb: Black Lace star who sang Agadoo dies
Colin Gibb, a founding member of the novelty pop group Black Lace, has died aged 70.
The band were best known for their hits Agadoo, Superman and Do The Conga, which were staple songs at summer discos across the UK throughout the mid-1980s.
They also performed in the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in seventh place.
Colin Gibb (L) and bandmate Alan Barton. Pic: PA
Gibb’s wife Sue Kelly announced his death on Facebook, writing: “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.”
Colin Gibb with his wife Sue Kelly. Pic: Sue Kelly/Facebook
Gibb had announced his retirement from the group last month and had planned to move to Spain with his wife.
A tribute on the official Black Lace Facebook fan page said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our great friend Colin Gibb.
“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.”
Former Black Lace singer Dene Michael wrote on X: “So sad to announce the passing of my singing partner in Black Lace Colin Gibb rest in peace my friend God bless you x”
Gibb joined Black Lace in 1976 and went on to tour the world with them.
Their biggest hit came in 1984 with Agadoo – a song about pushing pineapples, shaking trees, grinding coffee and dancing the night away – performed by Gibb and bandmate Alan Barton, who died in 1995.
The song sold more than a million copies worldwide and reached number two in the UK charts.
When being presented with an award for their success, presenter Richard Whiteley reportedly forgot Gibb’s name – calling him Mr Agadoo in honour of the hit track.
Thirteen years later, the band raised more than £25,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care on a day dubbed “Agadoo Day,” which saw them play 20 shows in 24 hours around the UK.
The catchy hit was famously parodied in the 1986 number one chart single The Chicken Song, written for the political puppet show Spitting Image.
Gibb’s final performance was at a beach hotel in Tenerife in May.