Eddie and the Hot Rods singer Barrie Masters dies aged 63
Barrie Masters, the frontman and sole constant member of Eddie and the Hot Rods, has died at the age of 63.
Eddie and the Hot Rods released a statement on social media this morning (2nd October) confirming the sad news. They wrote: “It is with extreme sadness we announce the passing of the legendary Barrie Masters.
“As you can expect, this sudden news is a huge shock to the band and family.
“We welcome tributes posted to our Facebook and Twitter sites which will be passed on to Barrie's family. More news will follow.”
Formed in Canvey Island, Essex in 1975, Eddie and the Hot Rods released their debut album ‘Teenage Depression’ the following year and scored a Top 40 hit with the album title track.
However, they achieved more success with December 1977’s ‘Life on the Line’, which spawned the number nine smash hit ‘Do Anything You Wanna Do’.
Renowned for their live prowess, they inadvertently hit the headlines when their support act at The Marquee Club in 1976 – a then relatively unknown Sex Pistols playing their first London gig – smashed up the Hot Rods’ gear amid chaos.
Masters told the Swindon Advertiser last year: “They couldn’t get any work so it came about through my manager and Malcolm McLaren.
“When they smashed up our equipment young Johnny Rotten had a severe telling that that’s not how to behave.”
Eddie and the Hot Rods released nine albums between 1976 and 2011, with their most recent effort ‘35 Years of Teenage Depression’ marking the 35th anniversary of their debut.
The group initially broke up in 1981 but reformed twice, briefly between 1984 and 1985, and from 2000 until present. Barrie Masters was the sole constant member throughout these three tenures.
Eddie and the Hot Rods toured the UK back in March supporting Stiff Little Fingers on their 14-date nationwide trek.
A cause of death has yet to be revealed. RIP Barrie Masters.