Steve Strange

A leading light in the New Romantic movement of the early 1980s, Strange (born Stephen Harrington in 1959) flirted with the punk scene in his native Wales before moving to London and playing in a couple of bands before forming Visage in 1978. The 1980 single “Fade to Grey” became the band’s best-known work, reaching No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart.

Strange was equally famed for his club night held at London nightclub, the Blitz, between 1979 and 1980 which is credited with the birth of New Romanticism; acting as doorman, his strict and fashion-conscious door policy once saw him refuse entry to Mick Jagger. Clubgoers–known as Blitz Kids–included Boy George, members of Spandau Ballet (who played a number of gigs there), Midge Ure, and singers Marilyn and Sade.

Strange died from a heart attack in 2015.