Pete Shelley (born Peter Campbell McNeish, 17 April 1955 in Leigh, Greater Manchester) is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist, best-known as the leader of Buzzcocks. His stage name is a combination of his real first name and the name he would have been given had he been born female.
Shelley was born to Margaret and John McNeish at 48 Milton Street, Leigh. Margaret was a ex-mill worker in the town, whilst John was a fitter at the nearby As...
more
Pete Shelley (born Peter Campbell McNeish, 17 April 1955 in Leigh, Greater Manchester) is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist, best-known as the leader of Buzzcocks. His stage name is a combination of his real first name and the name he would have been given had he been born female.
Shelley was born to Margaret and John McNeish at 48 Milton Street, Leigh. Margaret was a ex-mill worker in the town, whilst John was a fitter at the nearby Astley Green Colliery. He has a brother, Gary, who is three years younger than Shelley.
Buzzcocks were formed by Shelley and Howard Devoto after the two met at Bolton Institute of Technology (now the University of Bolton) in 1975 and subsequently travelled to London to see The Sex Pistols. Buzzcocks debuted in 1976 in Manchester, opening for the Sex Pistols.
In 1977, Buzzcocks released their first EP, Spiral Scratch, on their own independent label, New Hormones. When Devoto left the group shortly afterwards, Shelley took over as lead vocalist...
less
