An Audience with Rusty Egan

Pioneer - From Punk to New Romantic

Event Has Passed

Last Show: Wednesday 19 th June 2019

PizzaExpress Live (Holborn)

One of the most influential DJs of modern times, Rusty Egan is often cited as the pioneer of electronic dance music in the UK. A passionate musician who made his name in the late 1970s as a drummer for the British new-wave band The Rich Kids,with Glen Matlock formerly of the Sex Pistols and Midge Ure on lead guitar and vocals. Rusty enjoyed considerable success with Midge in Visage, fronted by Steve Strange, including the worldwide hit Fade to Grey. He joined Scotland’s finest The Skids as drummer. He recorded and toured with them for the album Days in Europa with Richard Jobson and Stuart Adamson.

Rusty Egan came to prominence as a DJ at the Blitz Club (1979-1980), where he introduced German Electronica to the British scene. As a musical innovator he sought fresh influences in Paris, Berlin, Düsseldorf and New York. His youthful partnership with Steve Strange as host and greeter promoted The Blitz to one of London’s most influential clubs which transformed British youth culture.

In 1981 they opened Club For Heroes and from 1982-4 they hosted a 1,600 capacity Camden Palace (now Koko) which attracted international media. Rusty hosted live performances from Grace Jones, The Eurythmics, Kraftwerk, Wham!, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and an unknown Madonna making her London debut in 1983.

He has recently released Welcome To The Dancefloor, the long-awaited album featuring vocal performances from Peter Hook, Tony Hadley and Midge Ure (to name just a few) and Tubeway Army’s Chris Payne on keyboards.