Mike Peters Remembered

Posted by Robert Kinsler

I was so sorry to wake today to the news that singer-songwriter great Mike Peters has passed away after a long battle fighting cancer. He was only 66.

Mike Peters performing at The
Coach House in 2013.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz

I first caught Peters back in June 1983 when The Alarm opened for U2. I was blown away and immediately went out and purchased the band's then-newly released EP. A few years later The Alarm actually headlined a show at Cal State University where I caught them as well.

Famed DJ Richard Blade posted the following a few minutes ago on his Facebook page:

"So so sad to learn this morning that our dear friend Mike Peters of The Alarm has passed away. Krista and I spent so many happy times with him, his lovely wife Jules and their children. From concerts to backstage, to hotel rooms, dinner, breakfast, laughs, movies and shared tears over his incredibly brave struggle during his three decades of fearlessly battling cancer, he was one of a kind. To know Mike was to love him. He will be missed by so many as we remember his Strength and pray that he is Marching On."

Geoffrey Downes, left, with Mike Peters
in 2024. Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Downes.

Keyboardist-songwriter Geoffrey Downes of ASIA and YES fame just posted the following on X:

"Very sad to hear of the passing of Mike Peters. A lovely man and a very talented musician who I had the pleasure to meet last summer at one of his gigs in Tenby, South Wales."

Guitarist Billy Duffy of The Cult (seen in the photo on the right with Peters) posted the following earlier today on X:

"No words today can be enough A light has gone out in the world. Sending love to Jules, the boys and all the family.   #RIP Mike"

Peter Hook of New Order posted the following on X today:

"So sad to hear about Mike Peters. The Alarm was a great band & Mike was a great, proud Welshman who loved this crazy business and appreciated that it was all about the fans. God bless you mate. Love Hooky. X RIP X"

Below are links to read some of my articles focusing on Peters, including a memorable 2015 solo show at The Coach House, and a 2013 concert where Peters fronted Big Country.

Mike Peters solo concert at The Coach House in June 2015. Read it HERE

Big Country 2013 concert review. Read it HERE

Review of The Alarm's 2023 album Forwards. Read it HERE

Review of The Alarm's 2018 album Equals. Read it HERE

Finally, here is the official media release from the artist's publicist Rey Roldan about Peters' passing:

Mike Peters, frontman of The Alarm, loses his battle with cancer

APRIL 29, 2025 -- Welsh music icon, Mike Peters MBE, the charismatic frontman of legendary '80s rock band The Alarm and a tireless global advocate for blood cancer patients, has died at the age of 66 following a 30-year battle with the disease. A voice of defiance and hope both on and off the stage, Peters first rose to prominence in the early 1980s with The Alarm, whose powerful anthems like "68 Guns" and "Strength" helped define a generation of alternative rock. Known for their rallying cries and heartfelt lyrics, The Alarm garnered a devoted international following, with Peters' raw vocals and commanding stage presence at the heart of it all. During a music career that spanned five decades, Peters performed with some of music’s greatest artists and bands including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and U2. Diagnosed with lymphoma in 1995 and later with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Peters refused to let his illness silence him. Instead, he turned his fight into a mission to help others. Alongside his wife Jules, he co-founded Love Hope Strength, a music-driven cancer charity that revolutionized awareness and action around stem cell donation. Through its innovative “Get On The List” campaigns—often hosted at rock concerts and even atop mountains—the charity has added over 250,000 people to the global stem cell registry and helped secure thousands of potential life-saving matches for patients worldwide. Last April, just before embarking on a 50-date US tour, he was diagnosed with Richter’s Syndrome, an aggressive form of lymphoma, and despite extensive treatment at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, including a clinical trial and innovative CAR-T therapy, doctors were unable to prevent the cancer progressing.

Mike Peters: 1959-2025 Link: https://youtu.be/XxwcL7Qj20c?si=bcX9Xp5yj7k7de2U

Peters’ journey was one of resilience. He continued to tour and record music through multiple relapses, undergoing experimental treatments while using his platform to raise awareness and funds to help others affected by cancer. His passion for life and belief in the healing power of music inspired countless fans and fellow musicians. Born in Prestatyn, North Wales, Peters never forgot his roots, often performing in support of Welsh causes and championing the community spirit of his homeland. His story and voice transcended music, touching lives far beyond the stage. He is survived by his wife of 39 years and partner in purpose, Jules (58), and their sons, Dylan (20) and Evan (18). Anyone wishing to donate to the Love Hope Strength Foundation can do so via this link Love Hope Strength Foundation - JustGiving   About Love Hope Strength Foundation   Love Hope Strength was co-founded in 2006 by the internationally acclaimed musician and healthcare campaigner Mike Peters after he was diagnosed with leukemia, his fellow musician and wife Jules, who has since undergone treatment for breast cancer, and their friend James Chippendale who had received a life-saving bone marrow transplant.   Led by volunteers, fueled by music and camaraderie, and propelled by a desire to give back and create positive change, Love Hope Strength strives to provide people affected by blood cancer a lifeline.

Mike Peters to headline at The Coach House on Thursday, March 26

Mike Peters fronting Big Country at
The Coach House in June 2013.
Photo: Bob Steshetz

Whether fronting his long-time outfit The Alarm or Big Country (as he did in 2011 and 2013), or performing solo, Mike Peters is a musical tour de force. A gifted singer-songwriter-guitarist with a powerful voice that rivals any of rock's all-time greats, Peters is returning to The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano for a special solo performance on Thursday, March 26.

I've had the chance to see Peters at all stages of his career (including an opening date for U2 in Long Beach, CA in the summer of 1983) and he never disappoints. 

I last caught Peters when he was with the reformed Big Country at The Coach House on June 21, 2013 (you can read my review of the show here).

It is likely that the Wales-based singer will feature his solo material and Alarm classics ("Blaze Of Glory," "68 Guns," "Strength" and more) in the intimate setting afforded by The Coach House.

Tickets to the show, which starts at 8 p.m., are only $15. 

The Coach House is located at 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA. For more details, call (949) 496-8930 or visit: http://www.thecoachhouse.com/.

Robert Kinsler

Big Country thrills in full-length return

Big Country at The Coach House on June 21, 2013.

Photos courtesy of Bob Steshetz

After sitting through two lackluster opening acts at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California on Friday night (June 21, 2013), I was more than ready for a rousing set from headliner Big Country.

Thankfully, I need not have worried. The Scottish band delivered a powerful and memorable 1 hour, 45-minute concert focused on favorites from 1983's The Crossing as well as the recent release The Journey. Big Country's story might well have ended with the tragic suicide of founding member/lead singer Stuart Adamson in December 2001 but lead guitarist Bruce Watson, drummer Mark Brzezicki and bassist Tony Butler thankfully reunited the group for a short tour in 2007.

Mike Peters at The Coach House

Big Country's Mike Peters-led era (Peters is lead singer of The Alarm) launched at the end of 2007 with a 25th anniversary benefit celebration of Big County has proven to be no mere publicity stunt. The Journey (released in the U.S. in April 2013) is a fantastic album and its track listing provided many highlights played at the Coach House. The punk-styled  roar of "Home of the Brave," the straightforward rock edge of "Return," uplifting "Strong (All Through This Land)" and the anthemic title track with Peters' voice reaching the heavens amidst the stellar sonics were inspired and explosive. 

Peter's outgoing personality and well-known tenor were effective in not only delivering Big Country's grand songs, but in getting the near-capacity crowd singing and clapping along throughout, even on the new songs. The instantly-infectious "Another Country" provided plenty of those kinds of moments, as did the band's best-known early '80s hits. There were several small groups of excited concertgoers who stood most of the show, a very rare happening at the Coach House. Peters pointed out one fan who had traveled from Australia to see the show that night.

Peters was gracious, hugging fans, shaking hands and leading the band all night. But make no mistake, the collective cast of musicians is what makes Big Country so unique. Original guitarist Bruce Watson and his son Jamie Watson created cascading bagpipes- and fiddle-mining melodies and textures with their tandem lead and rhythm work supported by one-time Simple Minds bassist Derek Forbes (who replaced the retiring Butler last year) and Brzezicki.

Jamie and Bruce Watson

All of Big Country's material was performed with passion. "Harvest Home" with its soaring melodies evoking the Scottish highlands and "Wonderland" with its rich layers came early. 

After performing the rousing "Another Country" (a standout on The Journey), "Fields of Fire (400 Miles)" closed the regular set, with the crowd fully engulfed in the emotional ride and ready for an exciting encore.

Big Country launched its encore with four-fifths of the group performing on stage, when suddenly Peters came through the crowd greeting fans and making his way slowly to the stage. The song "Hail & Farewell" could well have been a greeting to the late Adamson, a tender song that slowly built with its mix of vocal harmonies and lush textures. 

Drummer Mark Brzezicki

Big Country closed with an extended version of "In a Big Country" that included plenty of impressive drumming from Brzezicki, who celebrated his birthday on stage when the band led the audience with "Happy Birthday" to him minutes earlier. The night didn't end until a mic was passed around with all of the band members saying individual thanks to the audience. 

Make sure to check out writer George A. Paul's outstanding in-depth review of the concert that originally ran in The Orange County Register. Click here to read his review.

Sights and Sounds: Ringo Starr, Sigur Rós, Garbage, James McCartney, Big Country and more

I was out of town much of this week so I was unable to post music stuff at my usual clip. How about a game of "catch up"?

Read George A. Paul's great article on the new Ringo Starr exhibit titled Ringo: Peace & Love opening that played out at The Grammy Museum on Tuesday, June 11. 

After reading the post on George's Music Minded blog, I am hoping to get up to L.A. Live soon to check out this exhibition soon.

Make sure to check out my latest reviews on the MusicWorthBuying.com site. In addition to Sigur Rós' forthcoming Kveikur (which will be released this Tuesday, June 18), I praise the DVD/Blu-ray release of Garbage's One Mile High...Live and James McCartney's excellent Me. Look for upcoming reviews of the latest albums from Julian Lennon (Everything Changes), Bell X1 (Chop Chop), Robert Randolph and the Family Band (Lickety Split) in the near future; I've received a number of strong releases and I'm working on getting reviews of them up as I have a good chance to give all repeated listenings. On the DVD front, I'll have a review of the exciting Frank Zappa A Token of His Extreme.

Big Country will be at The Coach House on June 21.

I'm also going to be checking out Big Country's forthcoming concert stop at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on June 21 and will post a review of that show the next day.

I've read glowing reviews of some of the recent tour stops by Big Country (now featuring singer Mike Peters of The Alarm) and look forward to seeing the group play its classics as well as new material from 2013's The Journey. 

Inbox Update: Big Country, Midnight Oil, Parkaimoon

Whew! More big news to share...

Big Country set to return with 'The Journey' on April 30

U.S. Tour includes stop at The Coach House on June 25

Big Country / Photo credit: Andy Labrow

Celebrated Scottish band Big Country has returned with The Journey (April 30th / Megaforce), their first studio album in 14 years, and first with frontman Mike Peters. “When Bruce Watson called and asked me to sing for Big Country, it was something I didn’t need to think twice about,” says Peters, a good friend and a favorite singer of the late Stuart Adamson. “It’s been an incredible honor getting to know the music of Big Country intimately and a pleasure to be around such great musicians. I find singing the lyrics of Stuart Adamson very life affirming.”


Written and produced by the entire band, The Journey is a return to the classic Big Country sound; a shared vision of widescreen guitar melody, harmony and lyric. The lineup features Mike Peters, co-founder Bruce Watson, longtime drummer Mark Brzezicki, bassist Derek Forbes from Simple Minds, and guitarist Jamie Watson. “New music is always in the blood with Big Country, and so it becomes the life blood the band need to evolve,” says Brzezicki. “The new songs, along with the chemistry and timing, felt right.”


Green Day and U2’s hit cover of The Skids’ “The Saints Are Coming”, Adamson’s previous band, sparked Big Country’s reunion. Coinciding with their 30th anniversary, the band’s energy had been renewed, and soon they were performing the Isle of Wight (twice), V Festival, T in the Park, and many of the UK and Europe’s most famous festivals.

“When we are playing, it is as if we never stopped,” says Watson. “But I know we have, I know we suffered a great loss. But you heal…slowly.” I can assure you that Stuart will be there with us every night, in our thoughts, in our words, and in our hearts.”

In 1983, Big Country released The Crossing, the seminal album produced by Steve Lillywhite that broke the band massively worldwide with classic singles “Fields of Fire”, “Chance” and signature song “In a Big Country”. The run of success continued throughout the 1980′s with the release of the their second album Steeltown (1984), which debuted at Number 1 in the UK. They have opened for the Rolling Stones on two separate tours in the 90s, and Mick Jagger has called Big Country “one of the best opening bands we’ve ever had.”

Click here to hear "The Journey," the first single from the new Big Country album.

Catch Big Country on tour in the US this summer, and find them @BigCountryUK , BigCountry.co.uk and facebook.com/inabigcountry .

June 6 - Asbury Park, NJ // Wonder Bar

June 7 - New York, NY // Gramercy Theater

June 8 - Farmingdale, NY // The Paramount

June 15 - Austin, TX // Belmont

June 19 - Solano Beach, CA // Belly Up

June 22 - Agoura Hills, CA // Canyon Club

June 23 - Redondo, CA // St. Rock

June 25 - San Juan Capistrano, CA // Coach House

June 28 - Santa Barbara, CA // Winery

June 29 - Napa, CA // Uptown Theatre

July 9 - Aspen, CO // Belly Up

Speaking of fantastic bands that emerged in the 1980s, now comes word about the upcoming release of Essential Oils, the first double-CD chronology assembled on Australia’s Midnight Oil.The forthcoming collection contains 36 songs, handpicked by the band, and the tracklist covers every one of the band’s 12 studio albums (plus two of their rare 1980s EPs). It will be available April 30 via Columbia/Legacy.
Click here to get more details on Essential Oils.  


Great Big Sea and dada are not the only bands celebrating their 20th anniversary with tours and special shows. Orange County's own PARKAIMOON has also persevered for 20 years. The band played their first offical show on March 12, 1993 at Club Mesa in Costa Mesa. So it's no surprise the group is having a weekend celebration with three shows scheduled: Thursday (tonight!) and Friday night are acoustic shows at Mahe and Quinn's respectively. Saturday night is the 20th anniversay show featuring the full band, and possibly a few guests, at Mahe in Seal Beach.
Visit www.Parkaimoon.com for more details on those shows!