Legendary new wave singer Gary Numan, best known in the U.S. for his hit “Cars,” broke down on stage while performing last weekend after receiving news of the death of his brother earlier in the day.

Gary Numan marked his retirement from live performances in 1981 with a series of three sold-out shows at Wembley Arena. Numan’s career was a tumultuous one, defined in turns by inventive highs and ...