Coldplay, Ed Sheeran and Emily Eavis are among those across the music industry paying tribute to beloved booking agent Steve Strange, who has died aged 53 following a short illness.
Strange co-founded the X-Ray Touring booking agency in 2005, and worked as the booking agent for international acts including but not limited to Queens Of The Stone Age, Eminem, Snow Patrol, Jimmy Eat World and more.
In a statement posted to social media, X-Ray announced the sad news of Strange’s death, writing: “X-ray Touring are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Strange, one of the founding partners of the agency, has passed away after a short illness. We have lost a legendary figure in our personal and professional lives that we will all deeply miss.
“Steve was a unique individual within our industry, his overwhelming love of music lead to a 30 year plus career guiding the touring of an eclectic mix of artists from all genres of music that he adored.
It 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.”
Among those paying tribute to Strange included Coldplay who said they were “devastated by the news” of his passing.
The band said they had spent “a bittersweet hour” with Mr Strange last week.
“Despite his illness he was still taking calls and watching ticket counts,” they wrote.
— Coldplay (@coldplay) September 25, 2021
Ed Sheeran also paid his respects on Instagram adding that his passing was “a very sad day, and a huge loss x.”
Emily Eavis also said: “He was always so kind to us here at Glastonbury and a lovely man to deal with. We will miss you sir and your infectious laugh.”
So sad to hear the news about music agent and industry legend Steve Strange passing. He was always so kind to us here at Glastonbury and a lovely man to deal with. We will miss you sir and your infectious laugh.
— Emily Eavis (@emilyeavis) September 25, 2021
Meanwhile Garbage, paid their respects. “Rest in the music dear Steve Strange. Fine promoter and a great friend to musicians around the globe. You will be missed sir,” they wrote.
Rest in the music dear Steve Strange. Fine promoter and a great friend to musicians around the globe. You will be missed sir.
— Garbage (@garbage) September 24, 2021
Jimmy Eat World frontman Jim Adkins posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram and said his passing was “such a loss on such a wide scale to have this beacon of life ‘… to eleven’ gone.”
Black Sabbath‘s Geezer Butler said: “Very sad to hear of Steve Strange passing. Lovely bloke, great agent. RIP Steve #GoneTooSoon.”
Very sad to hear of Steve Strange passing. Lovely bloke, great agent. RIP Steve #GoneTooSoon pic.twitter.com/lycq1aZeVy
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) September 25, 2021
Frank Turner added: “Profoundly shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Steve Strange of @XrayTouring – an absolute giant of the industry and a kind and friendly heart. RIP.”
Profoundly shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Steve Strange of @XrayTouring – an absolute giant of the industry and a kind and friendly heart. RIP.
— Frank Turner (@frankturner) September 24, 2021
Tim Burgess also paid tribute, writing: “Absolutely heartbreaking news about Steve Strange. Our agent, our friend and one of life’s most gloriously upbeat people. You will be missed, celebrated and remembered so fondly. Goodnight big man.”
Absolutely heartbreaking news about Steve Strange. Our agent, our friend and one of life’s most gloriously upbeat people. You will be missed, celebrated and remembered so fondly. Goodnight big man x x pic.twitter.com/NVgXX8hVJp
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) September 25, 2021
We Are Scientists hailed him and said he was “truly a one-of-a-kind character, working at the top of the industry with bonhomie and heart to spare. The world won’t be quite as magical without him in it. We’re going to miss you, old friend.”
See a range of tributes to Strange below:
I’m so sad to hear about the passing of our agent Steve Strange. He was a great man and I will really miss him. He believed in music and musicians and our industry will be poorer without him. RIP mate. pic.twitter.com/zX4ZXmlrub
— LukeMorley1 (@luzmor01) September 24, 2021
Terrible news one of the truly great people in this world has passed. Steve Strange was my agent for nearly 20 years and he always had my back. Heartbroken pic.twitter.com/Tt4cY5axMn
— mark lanegan (@marklanegan) September 24, 2021
(1/2) So shocked to hear of the tragic passing of my dear friend and live agent Steve Strange, a true legend in live music and a totally unique and individual character, who lived for music. pic.twitter.com/hkeinmY2u2
— UNKLE (@unkleofficial) September 25, 2021
So sad to hear the news of Steve Strange passing. If you’ve seen us play anywhere outside of the US you’ve him to thank and we’d be nowhere near where we are without his tireless work and infectious laugh! So many unshareable stories. RIP Strangey x
— Frightened Rabbit (@FRabbits) September 25, 2021
Really don't know what to say about the passing of our European agent for the last 15 years or so Mr Steve Strange. We lost my buddy yesterday & Loss for words
he was the exact same age as me & so full of life. Impossible to process someone dying so young love u Steve — Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) September 25, 2021
Incredibly sad to hear Steve Strange has passed on , he was a good friend of many years and also our agent , to us he was more like a guardian angel benefactor than agent at times , warmth and humanity were his overwhelming qualities, he will be forever missed
— my bloody valentine (@MBVofficial) September 25, 2021
We are all heartbroken that our beloved agent has sadly passed away. Steve Strange RIP pic.twitter.com/8gStbox9ME
— The Charlatans (@thecharlatans) September 25, 2021
I lost a dear friend, legend and fellow countryman today. I’m so sad. Steve Strange I will miss that unmistakable infectious laugh, your positivity and kind heart. My condolences to all of Steve’s family and close friends, they certainly broke the mould when they made you Steve.X pic.twitter.com/bzY5vHCA2g
— RICKY WARWICK
(@rickywarwick) September 24, 2021
Our hearts are broken. Goodnight Mr. Steve Strange. Agent extraodinaire. The heart of a lion. Straight outta Carrick, he changed this business forever. Our force. Our constant source. Our Shining Light. Miss you like crazy Strangey. pic.twitter.com/1MKZ1O2Gt9
— ASH (@ashofficial) September 25, 2021
No words…… not yet……No words!!!!!!!
Steve Strange…..hero, mentor, father figure!!!!….RIP! pic.twitter.com/87O7Y1vqsh
— Jesse Hughes (@jesseEODM) September 25, 2021
Rest In Peace to my former agent, Steve Strange, he did so much, and helped our group in so many ways in
, more than that, he did the same for a lot of my friends and peers. My condolences — anton newcombe (@antonnewcombe) September 25, 2021
Terrible news about Steve Strange, can’t quite believe it. A massive part of my personal history in live music, one of the first people in our industry I ever got to know as a real person and a friend. Words are inadequate to describe a force of human nature like Steve.
— Mark Davyd (@markdavyd) September 25, 2021
Rest In Peace Steve Strange. https://t.co/jSdacWt1mM pic.twitter.com/mHMn0VVnZh
— Official Dio (@OfficialRJDio) September 25, 2021
Incredibly sad to hear about the passing of Steve Strange. He was Refused agent since our return. He also booked Invsn. Not that he needed to. Once we played in front of 20 people in some bar in London. Steve liked it so much he immediately called Ian McCulloch and told him. pic.twitter.com/0lDn7PhVVl
— Dennis Lyxzén (@Lyxzenofficial) September 25, 2021
For our dear friend Steve Strange, we will miss you terribly. Thanks for all your support and kindness over the years. This one’s got you mate RIP. Full vid on my FB page@iamjackiebarnes @mahaliabarnes @ellymaybarnes @MiddleClassBand @claytondoley @jane13barnes @ejie pic.twitter.com/neqJRvhO6F
— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) September 27, 2021
Steve Strange, our agent of 24 years has died.
He had a fierce, ridiculous love of music.
He was always happy to be as silly as us and he didn’t fucking care.
He was always in the moment with us.
Everything our industry so often is not.
We all loved him.
Bye mate x pic.twitter.com/5bKYJXjf7J
— Tom Gray #BrokenRecord (@MrTomGray) September 25, 2021
We are absolutely gutted for the loss of Steve Strange.
Steve was not just our agent, he was our dear friend. We will miss him greatly.
Much love and strength to his family.
Saxon
Biff, Paul, Nigel, Doug, and Nibbs pic.twitter.com/a9jPlcyWpM— Saxon (@SaxonOfficial) September 25, 2021
We are truly saddened to hear the news of our friend and agent Steve Strange. Steve signed us to his roster at X-Ray touring before we had even played a show as kodaline and since then has helped guide and shape our live career. pic.twitter.com/9Paa4ATpgz
— Kodaline (@Kodaline) September 25, 2021
RIP Steve Strange. A man brimming with fun & warmth. https://t.co/qRduO6pfXc pic.twitter.com/b0EPWcZbAk
— Sea Power (@SeaPowerBand) September 25, 2021
RIP Steve Strange one of life’s great characters pic.twitter.com/JuvzlzivmG
— James Skelly (@JamesSkellyBand) September 25, 2021
Ah man…. so so sad to hear that our friend and agent Steve Strange of @xraytouring has passed. RIP buddy. J K x
— The Ting Tings (@TheTingTings) September 25, 2021
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