EMF Keyboardist Derry Brownson Dies at 55

Derran "Derry" Brownson, a founding member and keyboardist for the British band EMF, has died at the age of 55. The group announced his passing in a social media post on Friday, August 14, 2026. According to a report from BBC Gloucestershire, Brownson had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and was undergoing treatment.

The band shared the news in a post published early Friday, stating they learned of his death late the previous night. "We are devastated, the only solace we can find is that we are eternally grateful Derry was able to join us on stage a couple times just a few short months back," the group wrote. "Nothing will ever be the same again without our band mate and friend, fly high brother Derry."

Brownson was a key part of the Forest of Dean-based group that formed in 1989. EMF rose to international fame with their 1991 debut single "Unbelievable," which sampled comedian Andrew Dice Clay. The track reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and number three on the UK Singles Chart. The song was featured on their debut album, Schubert Dip, which also peaked at number three in the UK.

The band released two more albums in the 1990s before going on...