Pete Shelley, the lead singer of iconic punk band Buzzcocks, has died at the age of 63.

The band’s management has confirmed that Shelley died on Thursday while in Estonia, a place where he was living.

It is believed he died of a suspected heart attack.

The band confirmed the news in a statement via social media: “It’s with great sadness that we confirm the death of Pete Shelley, one of the UK’s most influential and prolific songwriters and co-founder of the seminal original punk band Buzzcocks,” it read.

The band continued: “Pete’s music has inspired generations of musicians over a career that spanned five decades and with his band and as a solo artist, he was held in the highest regard by the music industry and by his fans around the world.”

Shelly formed the band in Bolton, England, back in 1976 alongside Howard Devoto. The band went on to have a major impact on the Manchester music scene and, of course, the growing importance of independent record labels that took precedent at the time.

The band went on to release nine studio albums, the most recent of those coming in the shape of 2014’s The Way.

Tributes continue to pour in for Shelley, Teenage Fanclub singer Norman Blake was quick to point out the influence Buzzcocks had on his early career: “Not been on here for a while, but I can’t not mark the passing of Pete Shelley,” he said. “I love(d) Buzzcocks. His songs were important to me when I was a young man and they still are to me now. Thank you Pete and R.I.P. You will be missed.”

not been on here for a while, but I can't not mark the passing of Pete Shelley. I love(d) Buzzcocks. His songs were important to me when I was a young man and they still are to me now. Thank you Pete and R.I.P. You will be missed. — Norman Blake (@normanblake) December 6, 2018

Tim Burgess added: “Pete Shelley wrote perfect three-minute pop songs. The soundtrack to being a teenager. You’ll be missed Pete but you’ll be remembered for a long long time for your brilliant music