The talent agency added: “A universally known, hugely respected and loved character — if you hadn’t already seen him at a gig or festival, you’d most certainly hear his infectious and infamous laugh. Steve had the best ears in the agency business, signing and developing the careers of countless world class Artists from small club venues to vast international multi-stadium tours. He will always be remembered with love by his friends & colleagues at X-ray and the world over.”
Over the years, Strange’s client roster at X-ray included such artists as Coldplay, Eminem, Snow Patrol, Chance the Rapper, Queens of the Stone Age, and many others. He also operated Strange World Management, overseeing acts like Lightning Seeds, Last in Line Wayward Sons, FM, Equador and Sweet Savage.
Strange got his musical start in the late 1980s as the drummer for British band No Hot Ashes. He went on to work for several booking agencies and promoters before landing at John Giddings’ Solo Agency and later Helter Skelter. In 2005, he partnered with Ian Huffam, Scott Thomas, Jeff Craft and Martin Horne to launch x-Ray Touring.
Numerous music industry executives and artists mourned Strange’s death following news of his passing.
“I can’t believe we have lost Steve Strange,” UTA head of worldwide touring Neil Warnock said in a statement. “He was an absolute icon in the world of music. He was a fan of all music genres who was at the top of his game. I’ve lost a true friend and the industry has lost a larger-than-life character.“
Ed Sheeran also took to his Instagram Story to remember the late booking agent. “A very sad day, and a huge loss x,” the English singer-songwriter wrote.
Coldplay remembered Strange as “a giant of the music industry and the cornerstone for so many bands’ and artists’ careers, including ours” on Instagram.
The band added, “Never afraid to talk straight and fight for his artists, you always heard him before you saw him and you knew you were in for a good evening. We spent a bittersweet hour with him last week. Despite his illness he was still taking calls and watching ticket counts.”
See more artist tributes to Strange below.
