ZapGossip

Steve Strange dies aged 55


Visage’s Steve Strange has died aged 55.

The frontman of the 1980s pop band tragically passed away today (12.02.15) in hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt after he suffered a heart attack in his sleep, his record label has confirmed.

August Day Recordings manager, Marc Green, said in a 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’s agent, Pete Bassett, described the singer as a "hard-working, very amusing and lovable individual who always was at the forefront of fashion trends".

He added: "Up until last year he was putting together a book of fashion styles based on the New Romantic movement and it comes as a great shock. We understood that he had certain health problems but nothing we knew was life-threatening."

After the heartbreaking news broke this evening, a number of music icons took to Twitter to share their anguish over the death of Steve, whose real name is Steven Harrington.

Duran Duran frontman, Simon Le Bon, tweeted: "I’m very sad 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 added: "Very sad to hear of my friend Steve Strange @Stevevisstrange passing, RIP mate…..(sic)."

Steve’s band Visage formed in 1979 and became prominent after they released their record ‘Fade to Grey’ a year later.