Eddy Amoo dead: Singer-songwriter of soul band 'The Real Thing' has died, aged 74

'A showman, a songwriter and a legend in British music'

The Real Thing with lead singer Eddy Amoo performing in 'Top of the Pops' in 1978

(Getty)

Eddy Amoo, of soul band The Real Thing, has died aged 74, the group has announced.

The singer-songwriter died on Friday, according to a statement from his brother Chris Amoo and Dave Smith who are still in the Liverpool band that formed in 1972.

They tweeted: "It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our brother and inspiration, Eddy Amoo, who passed away on 23rd February, age 74."

On the band's website, he was honoured as "a showman, a songwriter and a legend in British music".

"Eddy will long be remembered as a tour de force in British music and he will be sorely missed," it added.

The band's hit singles include You To Me Are Everything, Can You Feel The Force?, and Can't Get By Without You.

Friend Simon Sheridan told the BBC the "inspirational character" died suddenly in Australia.

He added that The Real Thing were "huge pioneers of black music in the UK" and the first all-black British band to have a UK number one single.

PA