Mike Peters, Alarm Frontman, Passes Away After Long Cancer Battle

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom — Mike Peters, the frontman of the Welsh rock band The Alarm, has died at the age of 66 after a prolonged battle with blood cancer. He passed away following treatment at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.

Peters was not only a musician but also a cancer campaigner. He co-founded the Love Hope Strength Foundation with his wife, Jules, and was known for iconic hits like ‘Sixty Eight Guns’ and ‘Strength.’

Born in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, Peters began his musical career in 1977 with a band called The Toilets after witnessing a performance by the Sex Pistols. The Alarm, formed in 1981, emerged from the punk era and gained popularity in the U.S. after supporting U2 on their 1983 tour.

The band’s debut album, ‘Declaration,’ launched in 1984, secured their place in music history with over five million albums sold and 16 UK Top 50 singles.

Peters was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1995. He later faced a chronic lymphocytic leukaemia diagnosis in 2005, which returned in 2015 before he went into remission. Earlier this year, in 2025, Peters developed Richter syndrome, which he described as aggressive and potentially fatal if untreated.

Besides his music, Peters was dedicated to recruiting bone marrow donors through concerts, helping to add over 250,000 individuals to stem cell registers globally. His charity initiatives included organizing treks to significant mountains, such as Mount Kilimanjaro.

In 2014, Peters shared the stage with notable musicians like Bruce Springsteen and Bono at various charity events. Even amid health challenges, he continued to tour across Europe and the U.S., displaying resilience by creating new music and hosting annual weekend events in Llandudno.

Peters lived in Dyserth, North Wales, with his wife and two sons. He received an MBE in 2019 for his contributions to cancer care. He often expressed a simple but poignant message about valuing every moment of life.

Months before his passing, Peters acknowledged the strength and support he drew from his fans, describing their encouragement as “phenomenal.”