Piju Spiteri, a renowned musician and composer, passed away on January 24, 2024, at the age of 84. He was best known for his work with the band Texas, which he co-founded with Sharleen Spiteri in 1986. He also wrote and produced songs for many other artists, such as Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, and Tina Turner.
Spiteri was born in Malta in 1939, and moved to Glasgow, Scotland, with his family when he was six years old. He developed a passion for music at an early age, and learned to play various instruments, such as guitar, piano, and drums. He joined his first band, The Maltese Falcons, when he was 14, and later formed Altered Images with Johnny McElhone in 1979.
Who Was Piju Spiteri?
In 1986, he met Sharleen Spiteri, a young hairdresser who had a powerful voice and a charismatic personality. They decided to form a new band, which they named Texas, after the 1984 movie Paris, Texas. The band’s debut album, Southside, was released in 1989, and featured the hit single I Don’t Want a Lover, which reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart.
Texas went on to become one of the most successful and enduring bands in the UK, with over 40 million album sales worldwide. They released 10 studio albums, including White on Blonde (1997), The Hush (1999), and The Conversation (2013), which all topped the UK Albums Chart. Some of their most popular songs include Say What You Want, Black Eyed Boy, Summer Son, and Inner Smile.
Spiteri was not only the co-founder and guitarist of Texas, but also the main songwriter and producer. He was responsible for creating the distinctive sound of the band, which blended pop, rock, soul, and country influences. He was also a versatile and prolific musician, who collaborated with many other artists across different genres. He worked with Kylie Minogue on her 1997 album Impossible Princess, Robbie Williams on his 2002 album Escapology, and Tina Turner on her 2004 album All the Best.
Spiteri was widely respected and admired by his peers and fans, who praised his talent, creativity, and generosity. He was also a devoted family man, who married his wife, Maria, in 1982, and had two children, Reuben Spiteri and Renzo Spiteri. He was very close to his son, Reuben Spiteri, who followed his footsteps and became a musician as well. Reuben Spiteri is the lead singer and guitarist of the band The Kyds, which he formed with his cousin, Misty Kyd Heath, the daughter of Sharleen Spiteri.
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Piju Spiteri died peacefully at his home in Glasgow, surrounded by his loved ones. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023, and had undergone treatment for several months. He had kept his condition private, and had continued to work on new music until his final days. He had recently finished recording the 11th Texas album, Unbelievable, which is due to be released in March 2024. The album features a duet with his son, Reuben, on the title track, which is a tribute to his father.
Spiteri’s death has left a huge void in the music industry, and has sparked an outpouring of grief and condolences from his friends, colleagues, and fans. Sharleen Spiteri, his longtime friend and bandmate, posted a heartfelt message on social media.
Reuben Spiteri, his son and fellow musician, also shared a touching tribute on social media, saying:
Spiteri’s funeral will be held on January 31, 2024, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow, and will be attended by his family, friends, and fellow musicians. A public memorial service will be held on February 2, 2024, at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow, and will feature performances and tributes from Texas and other artists who worked with Spiteri. The proceeds from the event will go to the Pancreatic Cancer UK charity, which Spiteri supported.
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Spiteri’s legacy will live on through his music, which will continue to entertain and inspire generations of listeners. He will be remembered as a beloved figure, a musical genius, and a true legend. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.
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