BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1981
RIP Steve Strange 1959-2015
Sadly last night we learned that Visage frontman and new romantic pioneer Steve Strange died from a heart attack in Egypt at age 55.
Strange, one of those at the forefront of the New Romantic movement, rose to fame with Visage, who were best known for their smash hit Fade to Grey, which peaked at No 8 in the UK charts in 1980. It topped the charts in Germany and Switzerland.
Strange also managed the Blitz club in Soho, central London, which became the pulse of the New Romantic movement. The likes of Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Boy George’s Culture Club all got their start there before enjoying international success.
May he rest in peace.
“Visage” is the fourth single by the British pop group Visage, released by Polydor Records on 29 June 1981. It is the title track from Visage’s eponymous debut album. The single peaked at no.21 in the UK Singles Chart.
The music video for the single was the first of two Visage videos directed by Midge Ure. The video includes footage shot at the infamous Blitz nightclub in London’s Covent Garden, which was the focal point of the New Romantic scene in the early 1980s. It was included on the Visage video album in 1986.
SIDE A:
Visage (Dance Mix) 6:03
SIDE B:
Second Steps 5:28
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Polydor – POSPX 293
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: June 29, 1981
Genre: Electronic, Rock
Style: New Wave, Synth-pop
CREDITS:
Design – Alwyn Clayden, Visage
Other [Clothes] – Darlajane Gilroy
Other [Hair] – Ricci Burns
Other [Make Up] – Carolyn Cowan
Photography By – Robyn Beeche
Producer – Midge Ure, Visage
Written By – Strange / Ure / Currie / McGeoch / Egan / Formula
Written-By – Currie*, Formula*, McGeoch*, Ure*, Egan*, Strange*
NOTES:
Version From The Polydor Album “VISAGE”
Find the 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removeal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
I’m new to Visage and wish I knew about them sooner. This is a great 12″. If you have more from them can you post it?
I do Matt just keep checking back 🙂
I live in the Netherlands and for me Visage’s Fade to grey is one of the most remarkable one-hit-wonders. Yes, it did surprise me how much impact his other music had on many people. Sad that he can not live to see the revival of the fahsions and hairstyles he, his friends, and coworkers created and influenced, develloping right now on the global markets.
That’s really sad. I really liked the new Visage material as well as the classics. The orchestral album just came out a few months ago. He will definitely be missed.
Hi there Paul, I kinda thought you might post something like this when I heard this ‘news’. The saddest thing is how talented so many ‘celebs n’ media types’ will say he WAS. But like about Elvis or many others, there will be folk pointing out that they never said that quite Loudly while he was alive eh ? Oh, and ‘of course’ his records will now SHOOT up in value as dealers n’ 2nd hand sellers secretly rub their hands with glee. Of all the no-doubt soon to be released 12” Collections etc, I think a Video one on… Read more »
I found out about Steve’s death yesterday, and I was shocked not just by the news, but because I was also in Egypt at that time, on a business trip.
“Visage” is not my favourite song by the group, but it was the first single I bought by them, so it’s a great reminder of the band. Thanks a lot for it, Paul!
Really sad to hear the news about Steve Strange… Thanks for the upload, Paul. Yet another fantastic quality vinyl rip of one my favourite Visage songs.
Thank you, Paul. So sad that he’s gone, and too young.
Oh I’m absolutely gutted 🙁 I’ve loved so much of Steve’s work. Besides me being a synth-freak (Fade to Grey was an absolute work of art to me as little kid, the sound of the synths were so hypnotic and Frequency 7 was so ahead of it’s time), as I’ve gotten older I realised how much I love Steve’s singing voice, his phrasing & the lovely tones through his voice. Damn, I’m really going to miss having him in the world. 🙁
Thank You for posting this. I was so shocked to hear about Steve’s death.
I’m glad he had a last (great) fling with Visage.
Me too. Hearts & Knives is a great album.
Sudden and shocking news…and now feeling sad.
Steve is pivotal in the New Romantics movement, and Fade To Grey possibly the very first New Romantics hit.
Thanks for your tribute, Paul; and may Steve rest in peace.
I knew I could count on you for a thoughtful Steve Strange homage. Thank you for sharing this.
You’re welcome Kurt
Huge loss. R.I.P. S.S.
This is devastating news. I’m really heart broken. Paul, so very nice and respectful of you to do a tribute posting. Gosh, I’m so sad. I loved the look and sound of Visage for years and was so happy about his return to the music scene after so many years. RIP Steve.
Jeff
Was hoping for a tribute post. Thank you. So sad about this.
BTW, your rip sounds fantastic. Thank you.
Thank you Mike C.
Very sad news & thanks for sharing the tracks. I saw the BBC ‘breaking’ tweet last night & immediately had to play ‘Night Train’.
For all his wackiness and somewhat freaked-out antics over the last few years, he was still a true legend & will be missed.
He was never really one for irony so I wonder what he’s now thinking about his last tweet: it was about life assurance!
A real shame, a popular artist in my archive..
Thanks Paul.
gutted. Always my fav band from the 80s.. there would have been no new romantic scene without Steve.. RIP xxxx….
Heard the news just as I was going to bed last night, and has left me quite sad today.
We saw him here and there on reality shows in the UK over the last decade, and he just seemed like a real sweet guy. Fragile, but genuine, and never stopped believing in himself.
Was hoping you’d post a tribute, Paul. x
RIP
You’re welcome Jermajesty. x
Thanks for posting this, I suspected and hoped you would revisit Visage as a tribute to the late, great Welsh eccentric, Steve Strange. It is quite a shock that he is gone at such a young age, maybe there’s some truth in the adage that the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long. Steve Strange shone brighter than most in the 1980s. Sadly I recently learned that Alwyn Clayden the sleeve designer for Visage and others also recently died well before his time. Love what you do, keep on and never fade to grey…
You’re welcome Andrew I had to do something I couldn’t let such a great talent be forgotten.
Sad news. More and more great artists are leaving us every day. I guess that’s just the way of it.
Yes,very sad.
He was an innovator at his times,Fade to Grey is beautiful,changed the scheme of the musci scene back then.
It’s good to remeber him this way,Paul.
Great tribute to an icon.
Thanks Paul 🙂
you’re welcome Junior.
Very sad indeed! I was just watching the documentary “Whatever Happened To The Gender Benders” last week. We’ll miss U Steve Strange!! Thanks for the 12” post.
Thank you for this. I saw the news on Simon Le Bon’s twitter. Very sad indeed. RIP Steve Strange.
Yeap heard it this morning not a great fan have to admit but the ochestral verions of fade to grey is fantastic
Ohhh nooo! Sad news today! 🙁 🙁 🙁
I enjoy Visage’s music and imagery so much! Steve Strange and the new romantic movement have been important to me for a long time. I’m terribly affected to hear of his death.
Thanks for the post, Paul. I appreciate you so much! 🙂
Thank you Woz. x
He died very young. Nice tribute to post this one today.
Thank you Stefano. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Very sad to hear. Without Steve the new romantic movement would’ve probably not worked. Have all his CDs. Thanks Paul once again for this awesome post.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂
Heard about this late last night here in the UK (almost 24 hours ago) on Facebook from Frankie Goes To Hollywood member, Paul Rutherford. Was friends with Steve on Facebook too and followed the new phase and troubles with Rusty Egan. All very sad. RIP SS
I heard the news last night Duran Duran’s facebook page sent out the word.Very sad news a great talent. RIP Steve.