I guess it was because of 50 Shades of Grey that so many obituaries for Steve Strange led on Fade To Grey taglines.

Visage (Strange’s band with DJ Rusty Egan) deserve better, even if Fade To Grey is brilliant in its pomposity.
 

They were pioneers of electro. As well as pioneers of all things 80s.

Remember that.

And dig into the rarities box for the proof. The dance mix of Frequency 7

 

was almost as big in hip hop clubs as the synth break in Pleasure Boys…

 

(@3.54  for those of you who remember Russell Simmons’ rare Def Jam record)

Because they came from clubs they made great pop records that you could (and still can) dance to.

Strange (SWWDT?) to think the music came second to the clubs and the image.

 

-Tony H

Further reading: Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet wrote a moving obituary to his friend the scenester you can read HERE