EMF keyboardist Derry Brownson dead at 55 after brain tumour

Derry Brownson, founding keyboardist of the British dance-rock band EMF, has died at 55 following a diagnosis of brain tumour. The band announced his death on Instagram on Friday, describing him as their "Brother In Arms."

Brownson was born in 1968 and co-founded EMF in 1989 in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England, alongside singer James Atkin, DJ Milf, drummer Marc Decloedt and guitarist Zac Foley. The band became best known for their 1990 single "Unbelievable," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991 and became a global hit. Their debut album Schubert Dip went platinum in the United States.

In July 2025, Brownson spoke publicly about his diagnosis for the first time, telling the BBC he had undergone surgery to remove part of the brain tumour. Despite his illness, he performed with EMF at Cindyfest in his hometown of Cinderford that same month—a show he described as "very, very special." His final performance with the band came in May at a show in Frome.

Bandmate Ian Dench paid tribute to Brownson, saying: "I can't think of anyone who embodied lust for life like Derry did. I mean, he was beautiful inside out." Dench recalled that in EMF's early days, Brownson's fun-loving nature helped him feel at home in the Forest of Dean as an outsider.

The band broke up in 1995 but reunited multiple times over the following decades, releasing two albums this decade and touring the United States in 2024 for the first time in 33 years. The band expressed gratitude that Brownson was able to perform with them again in recent months. "Nothing will ever be the same again without our band mate and friend," EMF said in their statement.