Rich Kids

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This article is about the band. For the 1979 film, see Rich Kids (film).
Rich Kids

L-R; Steve New, Midge Ure, Rusty Egan, Bill Smyth, Glen Matlock
Background information
Origin London, England
Genres Punk rock, power pop, new wave
Years active 1977–1979, 2010
Labels EMI
Associated acts Glen Matlock, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Midge Ure, Slik, PVC2, Thin Lizzy, Skids, Visage, Ultravox, General Public, Big Audio Dynamite, Carbon/Silicon, Beastellabeast
Past members Glen Matlock
Steve New
Rusty Egan
Mick Jones
Midge Ure
Bill Smyth

Rich Kids were a short-lived New Wave band from London, founded in 1977 by Glen Matlock following his departure from Sex Pistols. The band also included future Ultravox member Midge Ure, and Rusty Egan, who later went to found Visage.

Career

Rich Kids were formed by Glen Matlock (vocals/bass guitar) after he left Sex Pistols, and fronted by Glaswegians Midge Ure and Bill Smyth (vocals/guitars/keyboards) (formerly of Slik and PVC2). Rusty Egan (drums) and Steve New (vocals/guitars), briefly second guitarist for the Sex Pistols and later PiL, completed the line-up.[1] An early line-up in 1977 consisted of Matlock, New, and Egan, with The Clash's Mick Jones on guitar. Midge Ure, whose band Slik had split up and reformed as the punk sounding PVC2, moved to London and joined Rich Kids, and Jones dropped out and continued with The Clash.

Rich Kids were amongst the foremost British exponents of the power pop style, blending influences from 1960s acts such as Small Faces and The Who with more recent punk rock sounds. They released one album, Ghosts Of Princes In Towers (produced by Mick Ronson), and three singles during their existence, from March 1977 to December 1978 (although the official announcement of their disbanding was not made until mid 1979). At their Lyceum show in spring 1978, Ronson played guitar and Ian McLagan (ex-Faces) played keyboards. Several of the band's performances were featured in the 1980 film D.O.A..

Matlock and New went on to tour with Iggy Pop, while Egan and Ure formed a band called The Misfits (not the American horror punk band Misfits) and, after short spells with Skids and Thin Lizzy, respectively, reunited in Visage.[1] In April 1979, Ure joined Ultravox.[1]

With only one single making the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart,[2] Rich Kids join the list of one-hit wonders; a list that includes other UK punk or new wave acts such as John Cooper Clarke, Jilted John, 999, the Radio Stars, and The Vibrators.

On 7 January 2010, the band played a one-off reunion concert at The O2 Academy Islington, London in aid of Steve New.[3][4] New died from cancer on 24 May 2010.

Discography

Singles

(All EMI)
  • "Rich Kids"/B-side: "Empty Words" - January 1978 No. 24[1] (also released on red vinyl)
  • "Marching Men"/B-side: "Here Come the Nice" (live) - March 1978
  • "Ghosts of Princes in Towers"/B-side: "Only Arsenic" - August 1978

Albums

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Strong, Martin C.: "The Great Alternative & Indie Discography", 1999, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1
  2. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 460. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  3. ↑ Clashmusic.com
  4. ↑ Clashmusic.com
Sex Pistols
Studio album
Compilations
and soundtracks
Live albums
Singles
Films
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