Rusty Egan

Rusty Egan
Born 19 September 1957
Origin London
Genres Punk rock, synthpop, new wave
Years active 1977–present
Labels EMI Records
Associated acts Rich Kids, The Misfits, Skids, Visage, Bette Bright and the Illuminations, Roland Romanelli
Website link

Rusty Egan (born 19 September 1957,[1] London) is the former drummer for the British new wave band Rich Kids.[2] They were founded by former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock (bass guitarist and backing vocals, occasional lead vocals), with Steve New (guitarist and backing vocals, occasional lead vocals) and fronted by Midge Ure (guitarist, lead vocals and occasional backing vocals and keyboards player),[3] from their inception in March 1977 to their disbanding in December 1978. He continued working with Ure, and later collaborated with The Misfits, Skids, Shock, and Visage.[4] However, Egan did not return to Visage when they reformed with a new line-up in 2004.

He was the DJ at Blitz, the influential New Romantic nightclub in London where he worked with Steve Strange from 1979 until 1981. Whilst there, he introduced German (Kraftwerk), Japanese (Yellow Magic Orchestra) and British (Eno, Ultravox, Landscape) electronic/synthpop to the British club scene, almost single-handedly putting together the soundtrack for the New Romantic movement.[5][6][7][8] Egan also owned The Cage, a New Romantic-era record store on London's King's Road. As the club grew in popularity, Egan began to be recognised as a central figure in London's nightlife.[9][10] In 1982, he and Strange opened up the Camden Palace nightclub in London, where he continued to spread and influence the development of electronica in the UK.[11] For a time, he switched to producing records for many of the bands he used to DJ, including Spear of Destiny, Shock, Visage and The Senate.

Egan was later brought back into his career as a disc jockey by the allure of the internet as a medium for sharing music. Presently, he works as a DJ at the Boujis nightclub in London, playing and promoting 1980s style synthpop and electronic music.

On 13 June 2008, Egan appeared DJing at the 'Big Top' as part of the Isle of Wight Festival.[12]

Egan appeared alongside former Visage bandmate Steve Strange on makeover show Pop Goes the Band in early 2009 on Living TV. He had his teeth drastically reconstructed as part of his makeover.

Egan won the category for lifetime achievement at the 2009 London Club and Bar Awards.[13] Previous winners have included Richard Branson, Mark Fuller and Nick House.

In January 2011, Egan and Steve Strange reopened the Blitz Club for one night, with performances from Roman Kemp's band Paradise Point and electro punk artist Quilla Constance plus DJ sets from Egan himself.

References

  1. ↑ "Rockdetector.com". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  2. ↑ Ankeny, Jason. Biography for Rich Kids at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  3. ↑ "Nfo.net/calendar". Nfo.net. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  4. ↑ Credits for Rusty Egan at AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
  5. ↑ "Youth guilty of mugging Strange for Kylie bangle", 17 January 2003, Western Mail
  6. ↑ Bevan, Nathan. "Stranger than fiction", 26 March 2006, Wales on Sunday
  7. ↑ "John McGeoch", 14 Mar 2004, Daily Telegraph.
  8. ↑ Hodgkinson, Will. "Home entertainment", 29 June 2001, The Guardian"
  9. ↑ Stokes, Ali. "The '80s...", 14 December 2002, South Wales Echo
  10. ↑ Duncan, Alistair. "The night shift", 25 August 2005, The Evening Standard
  11. ↑ Barrow, John. How Not to Make It in the Pop World (2003), Trafford Publishing. p.182. ISBN 1-4120-1413-1
  12. ↑ "Safeconcerts.com". Safeconcerts. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
  13. ↑ Caffell, Paul (2 June 2009). "The London Club & Bar Awards 2009". Fluid News. Fluid London. Retrieved 24 April 2012.

External links