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Mike Peters, Frontman of The Alarm, Dies at 66

by Best Classic Bands Staff

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Mike Peters of The Alarm at Manchester United v Coventry City FA CUP Semi Final at London’s Wembley Stadium on April 21, 2024 (Photo: Jules Peters; used with permission)

Mike Peters, the frontman of the Welsh rock band The Alarm, has died. The news of his passing was announced on the band’s Facebook page today (April 29, 2025) with the words “Totally Free.” It comes one year to the day after he revealed that he had high-grade lymphoma, a form of cancer that begins in cells of the immune system and grows and spreads quickly.

Peters, who turned 66 on February 5, had originally been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2005 but had been in remission. On April 21, 2024, he awoke with a large swollen gland on the left side of his neck. The results of a biopsy and CT scan at the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre revealed that his new diagnosis required immediate and specialized cancer treatment. The cancer survivor described his upcoming fight, noting, “I’m going to make it through what I know will be the most challenging time of my life.”

The Alarm’s Facebook post about Peters’ passing.

In December 2024, he revealed that he was not able to achieve complete remission. At the time of his April 2024 statement, The Alarm were preparing to start a U.S. tour, “Live Today, Love Tomorrow.” It was cancelled.

Peters formed The Alarm in 1981 and the band released five studio albums on I.R.S. Records between 1984 and 1991, each of which was certified Silver in the U.K. They were an in-demand opening act for such acts as U2 and Bob Dylan.

Mike Peters performing with The Alarm on Top of the Pops in 1983

In his April 29, 2024, statement, Peters wrote, “I have no doubt that the following news will come as a complete shock to you in the same way that it has also come as a bolt out of the blue to me and my family.”

Peters had previously survived a battle with lymph cancer in the mid-’90s. In 2024, he had both a PET and heart scan and further consultations with the medical experts before confirming the exact specifics of his new treatment regime.

When the exact specifics of the biopsy and the treatment plans were determined, he shared his plan for recovery with his fans “and how I’m going to make it through what I know will be the most challenging time of my life.”

In his April 2024 statement, he wrote, “I am still reeling from the consequences of this new and completely unforeseen diagnosis and doing my best to process what is happening. I’m grateful for the love and understanding of everyone affected by the tour postponement and hoping and praying with all that I have, that this is just a pause in the story of my life, and that normal service will be able to resume soon.

“Cancer has been chasing me for 29 years now, and in all that time, I have managed to outrun the disease and stay alive. My focus and resolve remain the same, and I’m determined to keep running even harder to stay one step ahead and resume my life as a husband, father, and musician as soon as possible.

“Thanks for all your understanding, and I will endeavour to keep you updated as soon as I know what the doctors have in store for me and the life steps I will have to take to get back on the front foot.

Love Hope and Strength,
Mike Peters”

Watch them perform their biggest U.K. hit, “Sixty Eight Guns,” on Top of the Pops

Peters’ initial cancer diagnosis in 1995 spurred him to create the Love Hope Strength Foundation with his wife and breast cancer survivor Jules Peters, to help build awareness and fight against cancer through advocacy and bone marrow drives. Love Hope Strength has registered 250,000 people onto International Stem Cell Registries and identified over 4,500 potentially lifesaving matches, giving hope to blood cancer patients who would otherwise be denied a chance of life.