TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Derry Brownson, a founding member of British indie-dance-rock band EMF, has died at the age of 55. Brownson died on August 13, 2026, from a brain tumor, according to his bandmates and family.
Brownson was part of EMF, the Gloucestershire group that rose to international fame in the early 1990s with its genre-blending sound. The band became best known for “Unbelievable,” a breakthrough hit that helped establish EMF as one of the era’s most recognizable alternative acts.
Following news of his death, citing VICE, EMF paid tribute to Brownson as their “brother in arms,” expressing their devastation while remembering the time they were able to perform with him again only a few months before his death. The band said his absence would be deeply felt by both its members and fans.
Brownson’s brother, Steve, also shared a tribute, describing him as a beloved brother, uncle, son and friend. He remembered Brownson as someone whose kindness, energy and warmth touched the people around him.
Despite his illness, Brownson continued to make appearances with EMF. According to his brother, he performed one final gig in Bristol earlier this year as a gesture of thanks to his fans. His return to the stage offered supporters an opportunity to see the musician perform once more.
Brownson’s death marks another loss for the generation of musicians who helped shape the alternative and indie-rock landscape of the 1990s. For EMF fans, his legacy remains closely tied to the band’s energetic sound and the enduring impact of “Unbelievable,” a song that continues to define the group’s place in 1990s music history.
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