EMF Co-Founder and Keyboardist Derry Brownson Dies at 55
EMF announced the death of co-founder and keyboardist Derry Brownson on the morning of Friday, 14 August 2026. He was 55.
The band shared the news in an Instagram post: "Late last night we started to hear the news that we have lost our Brother In Arms Derran Brownson." Brownson, born in 1971, had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and was undergoing treatment, according to BBC Gloucestershire as cited by Billboard. Billboard noted it had not independently confirmed the death or its cause at the time of its report.
Brownson co-founded EMF in 1989 in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, alongside singer James Atkin, DJ Milf, drummer Marc Decloedt and bassist Zac Foley. The band — whose name stands for Epsom Mad Funkers — landed a record deal after just six months together, according to the BBC.
Their debut single, "Unbelievable," reached No. 3 on the UK singles chart and spent one week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1991. For a brief stretch, EMF were one of the few British acts to top the American singles chart that year.
Brownson's health had been a known concern for over a year. In March 2025, EMF posted on Facebook and Instagram that he would be unable to perform with the band due to health issues, stating that his well-being was their priority. Later that month, the band confirmed on Instagram that he had been diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer following extensive medical tests, after facing health challenges for several weeks.
He is the second member of EMF's original lineup to pass away. Bassist Zac Foley died at the age of 31. The band's surviving members have not yet announced further details regarding memorial plans.
