Nick Kamen dies aged 59

Nick Kamen, who sprang to fame as a Levi’s model and later became a singer-songwriter, has died at the age of 59, a friend of his family has confirmed.

Kamen died on Tuesday night after a long illness, it is understood.

Kamen appeared on the front of The Face magazine in 1984 wearing a ski hat, lipstick and aviator sunglasses. The following year, aged 18, he starred in an advert for Levi’s in which he stripped to his boxer shorts in an old-fashioned launderette to wash his jeans while a group of female customers looked on spellbound as Marvin Gaye’s 1968 hit Heard It Through The Grapevine played in the background.

Kamen, who was born in Harlow, Essex, launched his career in pop music in 1986. His biggest hit, Each Time You Break My Heart, a collaboration with Madonna, reached number five in the charts. His eponymous debut album also featured Kamen’s second single, Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever, a cover of the Four Tops’ 1966 hit, which reached number 16.

We shall all miss him. RIP Nick.

check out the Levis ad