At 55: Founder of the band behind one of the biggest hits of the 90s has passed away

Darren 'Daz' Brownson, a founding member and original keyboardist of the British band EMF, has passed away at the age of 55 following a battle with a brain tumor. The band members announced his death on social media, paying tribute to a man who was their partner on the road for more than three decades.

EMF was formed in Gloucestershire, England, in 1989, and quickly became a staple of the British alternative wave of the early 90s. Their major breakthrough arrived with the 1990 debut single 'Unbelievable', which became a massive international hit. The song reached number one on the US Billboard chart and number three on the UK charts, remaining the band's most iconic track to this day.

'We are heartbroken,' the members of EMF wrote in their farewell message. They noted that one of their few comforts is that Brownson was still able to join them on stage several times in recent months. 'Nothing will ever be the same without our bandmate and our friend,' they added.

Last year, Brownson revealed he had undergone surgery for a brain tumor, yet he continued to perform with the band as his health permitted. His final performance with EMF took place in May.

In recent years, the band returned to the scene, releasing two new albums: 'Go Go Sapiens' in 2022 and 'The Beauty and the Chaos' in 2024.