Steve Strange

Steve Strange (real name Steven John Harrington, b. 28 May 1959 - d. 12 February 2015) was a British recording artist and entrepreneur famous for his role in creating the 'Blitz' or 'new romantic' music and fashion movement in the late 70s and early 80s, and as founder member and vocalist of the group Visage.

Born in Wales, Strange became involved with the punk music scene after befriending Sex Pistols bass player Glen Matlock. On moving to London he also became involved with Malcolm McClaren, forming the punk band The Moors Murderers. He later formed Visage together with Rusty Egan and Midge Ure of Rich Kids, Billy Currie of Ultravox, and Barry Adamson, John McGeoch and Dave Formula of Magazine. Their debut single Tar failed to make an impact although interest in the new romantic movement, centred around the Blitz club, managed by Strange, gradually grew. He famously appeared an an extra in the ground-breaking promo video for David Bowie's Ashes to Ashes single in the summer of 1980. Later that year Visage obtained a recording contract with Polydor and their debut album Visage was released, spawning the hit singles Fade to Grey and Mind of a Toy. The group effectively dissolved in 1985 with Strange going on to form Strange Cruise, although without any commercial success.

For many years, Strange battled a heroin addiction. In later years he suffered a nervous breakdown, and in November 1999 was arrested for shoplifting. His autobiography Blitzed was published in 2002.

Visage as a group was revived by Strange in the early 2000's and a new album, Hearts and Knives, was eventually released in May 2013. In support of the album, the band made several live appearances in the UK and Europe.

Strange died in hospital Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt after suffering a heart attack. He was 55.