British New Romantic Icon Steve Strange Dies

Strange’s record label said he died Thursday in a hospital in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, of an apparent heart attack.

Visage had its best-known hit in 1980 with electronic pop number “Fade To Grey,” but Strange probably had greater influence as co-founder of London’s Blitz club. It became the crucible of a blend of danceable pop and outrageous fashion that became known as New Romantic.

The genre produced stars including Culture Club, Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet.

Spandau Ballet said Friday that Strange, whose real name was Steven Harrington, was “a huge influence on the musical and cultural landscape of the Eighties.”