Visage’s singer Steve Strange has passed away at the age of 55.
BBC News reports that he died in his sleep from heart failure in an Egyptian hospital.
Tributes have been pouring in from artists such as Boy George, Duran Duran, Kim Wilde and Billy Idol.
Steve Strange was the lead singer of the British eighties synth-pop band Visage. The group formed in the late seventies and were a direct influence on the new romantic movement.
Visage released their debut self-titled album in 1980, which included the band’s monster hit ‘Fade To Grey’.
The August Day Recordings Label Manager Marc Green released the following statement: “We are extremely saddened to announce that Steve Strange died at 11.15 local time on Thursday February 12 in Sharm el-Sheikh International Hospital, Egypt.”
“Steve died in his sleep of heart failure. Steve’s family, band members and friends are all distraught at this sudden news of his untimely death. Steve’s family request privacy at this extremely difficult time.”
Steve Strange’s agent, Pete Bassett described him as “a hard-working, very amusing and lovable individual who always was at the forefront of fashion trends”.
“We understood that he had certain health problems but nothing we knew was life threatening. His friends and family are totally shocked, we had no idea anything like this was likely to happen.”
Bassett explained that the pair were putting a fashion book together chronicling the style of the New Romantic movement.
Numerous musicians have tweeted their condolences, Simon Le Bon wrote: “I’m very said to announce that our friend Steve Strange has died in Egypt today. He was the leading edge of New Romantic. God Bless him.”
Billy Idol tweeted: “Very sad to hear of my friend Steve Strange passing, Rip mate.”
Boy George wrote: “Heartbroken about the death of my friend Steve Strange. So bloody sad. Such a big part of my life!”
