Mike Peters, known for leading the Welsh rock band The Alarm, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 66 years old. His death concludes a lengthy battle with cancer, which he fought for three decades.
Born in Prestatyn, Wales, Peters gained prominence in the early 1980s as The Alarm’s lead vocalist and guitarist. The band originated in Rhyl, Wales, with Peters and childhood friends Nigel Twist and Dave Sharp. They achieved success with hits like “68 Guns,” “Strength,” and “Rain in the Summertime,” becoming a significant part of the alternative rock scene and one of Wales’ notable musical exports.
The Alarm became the first Welsh band since Tom Jones and Bonnie Tyler to reach American audiences, helping introduce Welsh rock music globally. The band sold around five million records and had 16 singles reach the UK Top 50 chart.
Peters’ life changed in 1995 when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 36. This diagnosis began a nearly 30-year journey through various cancer diagnoses, treatments, and remissions. Despite these challenges, Peters continued to pursue his musical career.
Following the disbandment of The Alarm’s original lineup in 1991, Peters continued to perform and record under the band’s name with different musicians. He also took on other musical projects, including serving as the singer for Big Country from 2011 to 2013 and forming Coloursound with Billy Duffy of The Cult.
In 2005, he was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, which returned in 2015 before going into remission.
His cancer experience led him to co-found the Love Hope Strength Foundation with his wife, Jules, in 2006. The charity has added 250,000 people to the global stem cell registry and organized performances to support cancer research and treatment.
In 2019, Peters was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for his contributions to cancer care, recognizing his efforts in advocacy.
Peters performed with renowned artists such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and U2. Although The Alarm found success in the UK, they struggled to achieve mainstream success in the US. Nevertheless, Peters maintained a global fan base through extensive touring.
Peters also contributed to Welsh culture by composing and performing “The Red Wall Of Cymru,” the official song for Wales’ EURO 2020 campaign.
Last year, Peters entered a clinical trial and achieved remission in September 2024, but was diagnosed with Richter’s syndrome in April, a severe form of lymphoma. This led to the cancellation of a 50-date tour. Peters informed fans that without treatment, he had only months to live.
He underwent Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy (CART) at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, remaining determined until the end.
Throughout his health challenges, Peters was described as a strong advocate of the NHS and someone who “loved life like nobody else.” His positivity was evident in his performances and activism, including his involvement in the Light of Day benefit concert series in New Jersey, supporting Parkinson’s disease research.
Peters’ songs, such as “Blaze of Glory,” “Spirit of ’76,” “Sixty Eight Guns,” and “The Stand,” remain influential. Known for his distinctive voice and passionate delivery, The Alarm’s sound was characterized by its acoustic emphasis, differing from contemporaries like U2.
He is survived by his wife, Jules, and their two sons, Dylan and Evan. The family has requested donations to the Love Hope Strength Foundation to continue supporting cancer patients.
The music world has lost a notable performer who turned his personal challenges into a mission to assist others.