Steve Strange, frontman of Visage and an icon for both the music and fashion of the '80s New Romantic movement, died Thursday of a heart attack. The vocalist was in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt when he suffered a heart attack and was rushed to a hospital. He had been hospitalized in Wales during December for breathing difficulties that were attributed to bronchial infection. It doesn't appear that the two incidents are related.
Strange was one of the founding members of Visage when the band formed during 1978. The group had its most popular moments with the hit "Fade to Grey" off of its 1980 self-titled album, and would release two more albums before folding in 1985. The band would make a comeback during 2004 and Strange had remained the vocalist up until his death.
Although his music certainly deserves attention, Strange (born Steven Harrington) was one of the most influential figures in the actual fashion of the New Romantic movement, often being cited along Boy George as the key figures. He maintained an interest in fashion and was working on a book on the garb of the New Romantic era at the time of his death, according to his agent.
Other stars of the era have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to Strange.
"Heartbroken about the death of my friend Steve Strange," wrote Boy George. "So bloody sad. Such a big part of my life!" The Culture Club vocalist also posted a photo of the performer along with the caption "my favourite!"
"I'm very sad to announce that out friend Steve Strange has died in Egypt today," wrote Simon Le Bon, vocalist of Duran Duran. "He was the leading edge of New Romantic. God Bless him."
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